Polish Defense Minister and U.S. Secretary of Defense Discuss Military Cooperation
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday to discuss bilateral military cooperation amid Russian aggression. The two counterparts met at a U.S. Army Camp near the Polish City of Rzeszów after Austin’s surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday.
The talks focused on the American-Polish military relationship in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Błaszczak stated that Poland’s relationship with the US, which dates back to the foundation of the relatively young country, is “crucial to the security of Poland and NATO’s entire eastern flank,” and that Poland is America’s “most important ally in the region” citing the 10,000 American troops currently stationed in Poland.
Błaszczack elaborated that cooperation with the US could enable Poland to become the strongest military in Europe, citing the acquisition of modern American made hardware, and Poland’s achievement of reaching 193,000 standing military personnel, well over half of its goal of 300,000.
Source: IAR, PAP, PolskieRadio
Update: Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Urges End to Trucker Protest
Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych appealed for support of Ukrainian transporters at the Polish Prime Minister’s office on Monday. He stated that the border should be “unblocked and untouchable” in order to support both Poland and Ukraine’s strategic goals of repelling Russia’s invasion and a crippling of Russian aggression against the west.
The Polish protestors stated on Friday that they would also block the crossing in Medyka starting this week. Poland’s commissioner for Polish-Ukrainian development Jadwiga Emilewicz appealed to Ukraine to reach an understanding and constructive solution to the situation” citing Poland’s need to “meet the EU’s challenging requirements” as a transport hub in recent years.
Zvarych also vied for Poland’s support of Ukraine’s EU and NATO accession, which has been publicly obliged by a majority of Polish state representatives. Emilewicz cited Poland’s ongoing training courses for Ukrainian authorities, with 100 central and regional officials set to be trained annually.
Orlen to Purchase Norwegian Gas Producer for 445 Million USD
rlen Group is set to continue its expansion along with central Europe’s quest for energy independence from the east after its subsidiary Upstream Norway purchased the KUFPEC Norway natural gas provider from the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for 445 million USD or 1.8 billion PLN.
The agreement is set to be finalized by the end of the year pending Norwegian approval and will see Orlen increase its output by over one-third or four billion cubic meters annually. Orlen CEO Daniel Obajetek remarked “This [deal] significantly enhances our capacity to meet the demand of the Polish market and the entire region utilizing our own gas resources,”
Poland’s National Football Team Spars Against Latvia
Poland’s National Football Team sparred against Latvia yesterday, marking Poland’s final international exhibition of the year. Poland, ranked No 31 in the world by FIFA, played against No. 132 ranked Latvia in order to sharpen its players for the EURO 2024 qualifying March playoffs next year after a missed opportunity to qualify directly with their 1-1 draw against Czech Republic.
The EURO 2024 Tournament will be held from June 14 to July 14 in 10 different cities in Germany, ending at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Weather
For today’s weather we can enjoy at least a partial view of the sun until the mid afternoon. No snowfall is expected but be prepared for freezing temperatures once again at -4 to 3 degrees Celsius or 24 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit and strong winds in the evening.
Bryce Buren
