Poland’s president delivered a clear, unambiguous message this Tuesday: the best guarantee of peace is readiness for war. In a wide-ranging interview published on the Presidential website and broadcast on Radio ZET, Karol Nawrocki argued that a robust, well-equipped military – funded at 5% of GDP, modernized with the best systems the market offers, and growing in manpower – is not an act of provocation but a prudent insurance policy for the nation and the region.
Strength Through Vigilance: Nawrocki on Drone Threats, Defense Strategy, and Alliance Priorities
Addressing growing concerns over incursions and drone activity in the Baltic and NATO airspace, Nawrocki conveyed measured vigilance rather than panic. He said he and his team at the National Security Bureau are closely monitoring what he called worrying developments, from “shadow fleets” to the use of ships to launch drone operations, and are awaiting the military’s analysis before making any formal decisions on drastic steps such as closing the Baltic airspace. His approach blends caution with deference to professional military advice.
When the conversation turned to the events of 10 September, when Russian drones violated Polish airspace, the President was emphatic in his praise for Polish and allied troops. He described their response as a historic moment and a lesson: Poland must invest in counter-drone systems and tools specifically tailored to hybrid warfare. For Nawrocki, the episode confirmed that investment in the armed forces directly translates into deterrence and public safety.
On the subject of the new National Security Strategy, Nawrocki struck a constructive but honest tone. While he welcomed the document’s broad aims – independence, territorial integrity, and strengthening the armed forces – he made plain that some elements stray from the platform he carried into office. He argued for updates that reflect the realities of 2025 and for a security posture that recognizes the centrality of the transatlantic alliance while building responsible European cooperation. This is the stance of a head of state who seeks both national agency and reliable partnerships.
Equal Rights, Stronger Identity: Nawrocki on Citizenship, Law, and Historical Responsibility
The President also explained his recent signature of the government’s amended law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens. Nawrocki framed the decision as one taken in the interest of social order and practical governance, a move to prevent administrative chaos in Polish offices and to begin aligning temporary preferential arrangements toward parity with other foreigners who live and work in Poland. He stressed that future steps should aim for equal treatment under the law rather than perpetual exception.
Finally, Nawrocki touched on two legislative projects he has forwarded to parliament: a proposal to extend the period of residency required for naturalization and another to toughen penalties against public propagation of Bandera-linked symbols and ideology. He presented these measures as rooted in duty – to safeguard the cultural and historical continuity of Polish citizenship and to reject ideologies that, in his words, recall tragic chapters in Poland’s past. Whether one agrees with every detail, the President made clear his intent: to anchor national identity and civic responsibility in law, not expediency.