Poland's Transfer of Patriot Missiles to Ukraine Sparks Political Row

Poland handed over a small number of PAC‑3 missiles for the Patriot air‑defence system to Ukraine, a move described by Defence Ministry officials as a marginal part of the country’s reserves that does not affect Polish security. The decision was taken after consultations with NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte and the United States, and was known to President Karol Nawrocki, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz and Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk.

The transfer has become a source of intense political dispute. Kosiniak‑Kamysz accuses the president’s entourage of lying about Nawrocki’s knowledge, while Nawrocki insists he was informed and involved in the discussions. The controversy intensified at the NATO summit in Ankara, where President Nawrocki met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, and NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte praised U.S. commitment to Poland’s defence.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged NATO allies for more Patriot missiles; the Netherlands announced it has exhausted its capacity to supply further missiles. A recent Onet poll shows 45 % of Poles think the military aid to Ukraine was excessive. The Polish military counter‑intelligence service has opened an investigation into the leak of details about the missile donation.