On Thursday evening, a short dispatch from the Polish Press Agency (PAP) spread like wildfire across the media. It stated that U.S. President Donald Trump had declared that he would “help Poland, but after the war.” However, what Trump actually said in an interview with Fox News paints a completely different picture. His response was to a question, actually just part of it, regarding commitments to Ukraine, and he essentially repeated what he had already said back in August 2025.
President Donald Trump gave an interview to the American television station Fox News. During the conversation, a question was raised about the situation in our region.
British Prime Minister [Keir] Starmer agreed to allow RAF [Royal Air Force] planes to fly over Poland to protect them, and back in August, you said “we might help by air”. Would you consider helping in the air? What does that mean? Does that mean F-16s, Patriot missile defense systems? How exactly could you help?
– asked Martha MacCallum.
“We are helping with intelligence, but when I say “help by air”, I‘m talking about security after the war is settled. So after the war settles, we would help secure the peace, and I think ultimately that will happen. But you know, the question whether President Putin wanted a piece of it, or the whole, you know that. It was never going to happen when I was the president. Never. It was never even a thought of it, and it didn’t happen for four years,”
Donald Trump replied.
What Did PAP Hear?
How did the Polish Press Agency present the U.S. President’s response in its evening dispatch?
On social media, it posted the following:
“Trump: We support Poland with intelligence, but when I said I would help Poland, I meant after the war.”
And this is how the question and answer appeared in PAP’s wire service:
“Asked whether, in light of additional air forces sent to Poland by the UK and other allies, America would send fighter jets or Patriot systems, Trump replied:
‘Well, we are helping with intelligence. But when I spoke of air support, I meant security after the war (in Ukraine) is over. So after the war ends, we will help ensure peace, and I think eventually that will happen.’
Trump again expressed his belief that if he had been president in 2022, Russian aggression would never have occurred.”
What Was It Really About?
Looking at PAP’s social media post, Trump never once mentioned the word “Poland,” nor does the context indicate that he was referring to Poland.
The journalist was asking about Trump’s August 2025 statement, which directly concerned Ukraine.
That interview, also given to Fox News, took place on August 19. Asked then about security guarantees and support for Ukraine, Trump ruled out sending U.S. troops there, stressing that European allies were ready to do so. “We are ready to help them in many ways, especially, probably, when it comes to air support, because they don’t have the equipment we have. Really, they don’t,” the U.S. President said.
The first part of the recent question, however, referred to a statement by Keir Starmer.
In response to violations of Polish airspace, NATO launched Operation Eastern Guard, under which alliance members sent air support to Poland. Alongside aircraft from Denmark, France, and Germany, Royal Air Force fighters from the UK are also patrolling Polish skies.
“Irresponsible actions by Russia pose a direct threat to Europe’s security and violate international law. That is why the UK will support NATO’s efforts to strengthen its eastern flank through the ‘Eastern Guard’ mission,”
said Prime Minister Starmer.