Poland emphasizes increased defense against Russian threats

Poland's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski, has expressed serious concerns about the threat posed by Russia. He remarked that Poland is currently facing an "existential threat" from the Russian Federation. In light of this threat, Poland is increasing its defense spending to over 4 percent of its GDP, with plans to raise it to 4.7 percent soon. Bartoszewski highlighted that Poland has learned from its history, particularly the invasions during World War II, and he emphasized that the country does not want to experience occupation again. Poland has invested significantly in military equipment, spending $31 billion on U.S. arms. This includes acquiring 500 tanks, 500 HIMARS rocket systems, and 96 Apache helicopters. Bartoszewski noted that Poland plans to continue spending around $20 billion annually on defense. When discussing U.S. political dynamics, he indicated that he is less worried about the influence of former President Donald Trump. He believes the U.S. recognizes Poland's loyalty as an ally, given its contributions in missions like Iraq and Afghanistan. Bartoszewski also pointed out the significant Polish-American population in swing states, which could influence U.S. policy.