The best deterrent is a strong national army, Poland’s prime minister said on Wednesday at the Nowa Deba training ground in south Poland.
Over 1,700 soldiers from the countries of the Visegrad Group (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia) as well as from the US and the UK are taking part in the Puma-22 military exercise. It is the largest exercise of the Visegrad Group troops this year.
Mateusz Morawiecki and Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger watched the Puma-22 manoeuvers. The Polish prime minister said that similar exercises will be continued “until the last Russian soldier has left Ukraine.”
PM @MorawieckiM and PM of Slovakia @eduardheger observed the demonstration of the combat capabilities of troops during the #Puma22 exercises in #NowaDeba. pic.twitter.com/zRYWN1lUWV
— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) November 9, 2022
“We speak with one voice at the level of the European Council and within #NATO, we increase solidarity and the defence potential of our region. I thank the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger for the joint observations of the Puma-22 manoeuvres,” Prime Minister said.
“Our joint fight, solidarity, exercises, as well as diplomatic and financial aid for Ukraine – this is a guarantee that our alliance will ensure security. Together with US & UK soldiers, we conduct a lot of military exercises,” he added.
PM @MorawieckiM: Our joint fight, solidarity, exercises, as well as diplomatic and financial aid for Ukraine – this is a guarantee that our alliance will ensure security. Together with & soldiers, we conduct a lot of military exercises. pic.twitter.com/q7PZ95AoQs
— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) November 9, 2022
“Puma-22 manoeuvres show our unity and solidarity. NATO is a real force that can resist any aggression. We must build an army so strong that it does not have to fight – that it scares away its enemies by sheer force,” Morawiecki stated.
PM @MorawieckiM: #Puma22 maneuvers show our unity and solidarity. #NATO is a real force that can resist any aggression. We must build an army so strong that it does not have to fight – that it scares away its enemies by sheer force. pic.twitter.com/thBOJkJ2rP
— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) November 9, 2022
“The best strategy is to deter the enemy with the strength of one’s own army and cooperation with others,” Morawiecki said.
He added that the Russia-Ukraine war has led the world “to a geopolitical turning-point,” and noted that NATO’s diplomatic, financial, and military aid to Russian-invaded Ukraine served as a security guarantee.
He also said that Poland planned to spend from PLN 100 billion to PLN 130 billion (EUR 21.3-27.6 billion) on military upgrades in 2023. “This amounts to 3-4 per cent GDP, a huge effort,” Morawiecki added.
“We are acting in an anticipatory manner to strengthen the Polish army and deter the enemy,” the prime minister said.
Puma-22 exercises are the largest manoeuvres of the troops of the Visegrad Group countries. Soldiers from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia joined by the US and the UK test their ability to plan, organise and execute tactical action in cooperation with allies.
#Puma22 exercises are the largest manoeuvres of the troops of the Visegrad Group countries.
Soldiers from joined by test their ability to plan, organise and execute tactical action in cooperation with allies.#StrongerTogether #V4 #NowaDeba pic.twitter.com/9UQe6vT2ZK
— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) November 9, 2022