Poland accused Germany of leaking details about Patriot discussions
Patriot SAM (Photo:defense.gov)
Berlin has violated the confidentiality of negotiations about transferring Patriot air defense systems from Germany to Poland, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said in an interview with i.pl on Dec. 9.
Błaszczak said that reports appeared in German media that Poland asked for confidentiality on negotiations over Patriot air defense systems, but the Germans violated it anyway.
“I can confirm this; in any case, the evidence was published in the German media,” Błaszczak said.
He said that German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht didn’t listen to Poland's arguments and stated that it was impossible to transfer Patriot to Ukraine. So, it was decided that these systems would be deployed in the Lublin Voivodeship and would protect the skies of Poland.
“I have assurances from my German colleague that these launchers will be included in the Polish control system, and currently we are discussing the details,” the minister said.
“We definitely won’t hesitate and will make all the preparations as soon as possible.”
Błaszczak said that during hearing at the Polish parliament, he argued that Patriot systems would work better if they were placed in western Ukraine, instead.
“One of the key arguments is that on Nov. 15, the missile that hit our country and took the lives of two people, flew over Poland for only a few seconds,” he noted.
“That’s not enough time toprevent this, so ensuring security in the west of Ukraine means ensuring security in the east of Poland.”
In addition, further Russian missile attacks on critical infrastructure could provoke another wave of refugees from Ukraine, which could become a problem for the EU, argues Błaszczak.
Germany offered Poland its Patriot systems after a missile crashed in Przewodów, near the border with Ukraine, during a massive Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian power grid on Nov. 15.
Błaszczak then appealed to Germany to send Patriots to Ukraine, instead.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said that Patriot systems are designed to protect NATO airspace, therefore the consent of allied countries is required to transfer them to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that this issue should be resolved by individual countries.
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