Poland stands firm against sending troops to Ukraine despite Baltic pressure

While some countries in the coalition of volunteers have declared readiness to send soldiers to Ukraine, Poland continues to oppose the idea unequivocally.

Following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, the issue of deploying troops came under discussion, but the Polish leadership has made it clear that they will not support such a move. Both President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk have openly stated their opposition to sending Polish troops to Ukraine.

Authority to deploy troops rests with the president

Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Presidential Office, emphasized that “sending troops abroad must always be approved by the president.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk reiterated that Poland’s support for Ukraine would remain organizational, financial, and military in terms of aid, but without troop deployments.

“We are not planning to send Polish soldiers to Ukraine. However, we are ready to support countries that wish to provide such guarantees in the future,” Tusk said.

Warsaw’s concern: risk of military weakening

According to Politico, citing an unnamed Polish official, Warsaw’s refusal stems from concerns that sending troops could weaken its own armed forces.

Despite possessing the largest armed forces within the European Union, Poland firmly rejects troop deployments to Ukraine. Still, it has indicated willingness to provide logistical support for potential missions in the east.

Baltic states diverge from Poland

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal has expressed readiness to send peacekeepers to Ukraine under the coalition framework. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda also stated that his country could contribute peacekeepers within the limits of its military capabilities. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs noted that the issue of sending troops might arise once European countries clarify their security guarantees.

“Poland prioritizes security and public support”

Crimean-born Russian political analyst Stanislav Stremidlovskiy told Vzglyad daily that Poland is acting more cautiously than the Baltic states.

“Warsaw understands very well that deeper involvement in the crisis in Ukraine could have serious and dangerous consequences for Poland,” he said.

Oleg Havich, head of the Western Ukraine Research Institute, also underlined that Poland acts more independently compared to the Baltic countries.

“About 80% of Poles are absolutely against sending their soldiers to Ukraine,” Havich noted.

He suggested that Warsaw might reconsider its position in the future. A limited Polish deployment in Western Ukraine could become a topic of domestic debate, but avoiding such a move would indicate that the government prioritizes Poland’s national interest.

Tough stance against Russia lacks domestic support

Stremidlovskiy stressed that Poland’s opposition to troop deployments is not intended as a gesture to US President Donald Trump. Instead, it reflects a determination to preserve national integrity rather than pursue geopolitical maneuvering.

Havich argued that while Tusk and Nawrocki continue to intensify their anti-Russian rhetoric, this approach does not resonate strongly with Polish society. He also claimed that Trump avoids closer engagement with Polish leaders for this reason.