European iron dome – anti-missile shield. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense comments

The head of the PiS club and former Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, referred to the European anti-missile shield at Wednesday's press conference. This is about the European Sky Shield Initiative, i.e. the European “iron dome” – a proposed project to protect the sky against incoming missiles from hostile countries. Błaszczak admitted that when he was the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Poland received an offer to join it, but – as he said – the proposal was rejected by specialists from the Polish Army involved in the construction of the Polish anti-missile shield. According to him, the project also “favors the German arms industry.”

– PiS should show more humility and not interfere when we raise the issue of the level of Polish security – replied Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense.

Read also: The “dome” project over Europe. Błaszczak complains, Kosiniak-Kamysz's reply

Kosiniak-Kamysz talked more about this case in “Kropka nad i” on TVN24. He pointed out that not only Mariusz Błaszczak, but also other PiS politicians, including former Prime Minister Beata Szydło, expressed similar opinions on this topic.

– If something increases Poland's security, in my opinion, it is for the benefit of security, not to the detriment, but here we may have a difference with Prime Minister Szydło in our approach to this matter – he said.

– Let's look for all initiatives in Europe and around the world that increase the level of Poland's security – he declared.

– We are for security, they are for chaos. What they said today is sabotage, said the Deputy Prime Minister. And he assured that Poland will strengthen “air, anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense.” – We are building the Pilica, Narew and Wisła system, (…), but we want to be part of the initiative proposed by Germany, because we are not phobic towards our allies in NATO and the European Union – he emphasized.

He added that “everyone from our block” is involved in this initiative. – Let's look at the map. These are the countries that are most vulnerable to a Russian attack, he pointed out and emphasized that “we need this air defense today.” – We cannot afford the lack of anti-aircraft defense – he continued.

– How would I see this shield, European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) – exchange of experience, exchange of competences, also sale of Polish equipment, issues related to reconnaissance, radar location and mutual overlap of anti-aircraft defense systems. Who can protest against this? Those who do not want Poland to be safe. It's a disaster, what they are doing – said the TVN24 guest.

Kosiniak-Kamysz also referred to the conversation between President Andrzej Duda and Donald Trump scheduled for Wednesday.

– As a government, as a Polish state, we will cooperate with every elected president of the United States, because it is the Americans who decide. Most often, of course, talks should take place with those who are the current presidents and prime ministers. It's natural. In my opinion, the president does not have private meetings abroad, he said.

According to the deputy prime minister, “one good thing may come out of this: if the issue of the Ukrainian issue and voting in Congress is raised, it will be a big appeal to Donald Trump to convince his congressmen to vote in support of Ukraine.” He added that “this is a fundamental issue.”

The president of PSL and one of the leaders of Third Way was also asked whether he would support the draft law on civil partnerships.

– First of all, I think that these should be parliamentary bills. Because this type of laws are not covered by the coalition agreement (…) – he said.

He emphasized that he “did not change his views” on this matter. – I have been saying for a long time – inheritance issues, issues related to access to medical information, if such a law would make it easier, then yes, it is acceptable. If (in the project – editor) there would be equality with marriage and adoption of children, I will not vote for it, I will be against such solutions – he said.

He added that “equalizing the status of a same-sex relationship with marriage would mean automaticity related to the adoption” of children. – And I won't vote for it. Everyone has the right to their views. Tolerance is not just accepting those who think like me, but only those who think differently. I have no objections to Minister Kotula for having her own views. Let him present them, let him strive for them (…). I have the right to my views, he emphasized.