Newsweek Poland interviewed Poland’s Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on on nuclear weapons, getting used to war and what Europe must do to protect itself.
Newsweek Polska: Are you a minister of peace or war?
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz: The Minister of Defense must be prepared for any situation. Until the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, most of us thought that we lived in times of peace and viewed the Ministry of Defense indifferently. After February 24, 2022, everything changed, but in recent months we have been observing Poland and Europe getting used to the war. The first months of aggression were full of emotions. We were overwhelmed by the tragedy of the victims, and help for refugees, and then we got used to the war. So right now, the common challenge is not to be lulled into sleep.
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Do you go to bed thinking that it’s up to you to decide how Poland will defend itself in case of Russian aggression?
Every day when I wake up, I check what is happening in Ukraine. And there is another large drone and missile raid. This is being repeated with such regularity that it’s clear that Russia has made up for its losses. Every morning, the first glance at my phone makes me realize what a huge responsibility I carry.
Why is it dangerous to get used to war?
It’s dangerous in the military, political and social dimensions, it weakens vigilance and the will to mobilize. What worries me is that death in war has stopped making an impression. We no longer even notice the number of casualties reported in the media on an ongoing basis.
Donald Trump threatens that if he becomes U.S. president again, he will introduce the NATO principle of “if you don’t pay, let Putin do whatever the hell he wants with you.” Should we be afraid?
NATO‘s motto “One for all, all for one” is an actual commitment. Undermining the credibility of allied countries means weakening the entire North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Even the most aggressive election campaign should not change this.
Should Poland join the NATO nuclear sharing program, like some Western European countries?
When the war broke out in Ukraine, Europe adopted the so-called Strategic Compass, specifying what should be done by the end of 2025 in the field of mutual defense. Three weeks ago I received information that there is no one to deploy combat units preparing the full capability of the European Union‘s rapid deployment forces. With the Chief of the General Staff, I made a decision that Poland will be on duty from June this year to July next year. Another decision resulting from the war in Ukraine is the agreement with Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the freedom of movement of troops, for which some people are attacking me. And yet it increases our safety. The Russian arms industry is working in war mode, while Europe and the world are sleeping. We lived in a blissful dream of peace and now we have to make up for that time. The European Union should turn the switch on.
Meaning prepare for war with Russia?
Various ambitious goals are important, including climate ones, but there will be no climate goals for 2050 if we do not restore peace in Europe. Let’s survive and protect ourselves for the coming years.
Should Europe strive for self-sufficiency in defense matters?
EU definitely must increase its production capacity. The pandemic has shown how much we have to make up, hence the Reconstruction Plan includes investments in the pharmaceutical industry because we let all production go to India and China. Europe, which built its strength in times of peace, must find its way in times of the threat of emergencies and epidemics, as well as direct military threats.
Is it possible to become independent from NATO’s main ally, the United States?
The U.S. is still the guarantor of the Alliance’s security and I deeply believe that the strength of the United States does not lie solely in who is president, but in the structure of this country and its society. Of course, it would be easier today if we had Washington’s decision to support Ukraine, rather than procrastination.