Siemoniak: cooperation with Ukraine strategic, Russia "threatens Europe in a long term"

Intensive military drills, more funds, more skilled reservists and cooperation with pro-defense organisations - these are the plans aiming to strengthen Poland’s defense system according to the Minister of National Defense Tomasz Siemoniak. Amid “the threat caused by the Eastern neighbor,” the government passed the plan consolidating the national security system last December, the minister pointed out. “Russia has been using military measures and it threatens Europe in a long term,” he said. Siemoniak also reffered to the idea of selling Polish arms to Ukraine. “Military cooperation with Ukraine is strategic … I can see no obstacles to exporting Polish arms to Ukraine on terms and conditions suitable for our partners.” Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said that the European Union's sanctions imposed on Russia are “a road to nowhere” and should be lifted. The EU ministers of foreign affairs had this matter on the agenda on their Thursday's meeting.