Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has defended the incursion into Russian territory by Ukrainian forces, insisting the action is a defensive move.
When asked by a journalist if NATO member states were bothered by the fact that Western weapons supplied to Ukraine for defensive purposes were used for an outright attack on Russian territory, Tusk appeared unmoved.
“I would be very careful with such wording,” Tusk replied, adding that “Ukraine’s action is defensive.”
He further explained his position: “What the Russian army, the Russian air force is doing on the territory of Ukraine bears the signs of genocide. [Therefore, Kyiv] has every right to continue the war to paralyze Russia’s aggressive intentions as effectively as possible.”
The Polish leader made sure to clearly state there was no abuse of trust by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of his Western allies in his use of weapons received from them, adding that he was not surprised by “the unusual and, for some, unexpected change on the [Ukrainian-Russian] front.”
Just this week, it was revealed that Polish-made PT-91 Twardy tanks have been a key element of Ukraine’s recent and ongoing offensive attack on the Kursk region inside Russian territory.
The Polish head of state also told reporters at the press conference that despite continuous contact at the political level, Kyiv does not discuss the details of its military plans with him. Nevertheless, Poland’s support for Zelensky remains absolute.
“We support Ukraine in this war, it is a defensive war,” he said, adding that “the biggest risk for Poland and Europe would be the defeat of Ukraine.”
