Poland Rules Out Transferring New Weapons to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict with Russia
WARSAW, Poland — In a definitive statement during his official visit to South Korea, Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on October 25 that Poland will not be supplying newer weaponry to Ukraine, including tanks, self-propelled howitzers, missile launchers, and light attack aircraft recently ordered from South Korean manufacturers. Duda’s remarks followed a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been considering providing military support to Ukraine amid its fight against Russia.
When questioned about the prospect of Poland transferring its newly acquired South Korean weapons to Ukraine, Duda firmly stated, "There is no scenario under consideration in which we transfer the weapons that we have acquired … with taxpayers’ money, to anyone." He emphasized that as long as he remains president, there will be no possibility of transferring these costly military assets, which have been purchased for billions of dollars over the past years.
Ukrainian leaders have reportedly made direct requests for these advanced weapons, but Duda made it clear that Poland would not be parting with its new military arsenal. Despite this setback, Poland has been a significant ally to Ukraine since Russia escalated its invasion in February 2022. The country has previously supplied a variety of military equipment to Kyiv, including tanks and armored vehicles, primarily consisting of outdated Soviet-designed systems.
However, recent tensions have arisen between the two nations, sparked by issues such as Poland’s ban on Ukrainian grain imports, which have begun to affect defense cooperation. Although transfers of advanced weaponry have largely ceased, Poland’s centrist government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, continues to express support for Ukraine. In July 2024, both countries signed a security cooperation agreement aimed at boosting integration of Ukraine’s defense industry with Western partners and enhancing air-defense collaboration in response to potential threats.
Amid these developments, the future of military cooperation between Poland and Ukraine remains uncertain as both countries navigate their evolving relationship. Jaroslaw Adamowski, the Poland correspondent for Defense News, contributed to this report.
