USA. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski on aid to Ukraine, Russian nuclear weapons and American troops in Poland

In “Facts after Facts”, US ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski referred to the announcement by the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, who announced on Friday evening that the United States would purchase Patriot missiles and other types of weapons and military equipment worth $6 billion for Ukraine. This is the largest U.S. arms package for Kiev to date.

– Aid is on the way, it will reach Ukraine quickly, and I am very glad that Congress has made the decision to accept $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, and I thank President Joe Biden very much for fighting so hard, Brzezinski said. As he emphasized, “we have gained the support of both chambers of our Congress.”

– And I also congratulate Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Polish President Andrzej Duda, who went to Washington together in March to send a common signal to the American Congress that this is an important and existential issue for Poland. It helped. These messages really resonated strongly in Washington, he said.

– Poland has been an exceptional friend to America for the last 200 years. For over 200 years, Americans have sacrificed themselves for Polish freedom, Poles have given their lives for American freedom. Today we have common freedom. We are united on the issue of Ukraine, he commented.

Brzezinski noted that “there is a Polish expression 'stronger together'.” – That's what these relationships mean. This is how we approach the challenge in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people will win, he added.

The US ambassador to Poland, asked whether aid for Kiev was not coming too late, replied that “Ukrainians had to wait and it was terrifying.” – This is an existential issue for Ukraine, but help is on the way now, he said.

– I want to draw attention to the special role of Poland. It is very well understood in Washington. It is, firstly, a very important ally, secondly, a transfer point for Western equipment to Ukraine, and thirdly, Poland is very important as a place for the humanitarian protection of Ukrainian refugees. President Joe Biden tells Poles: thank you, thank you, thank you. To every Polish family that accepts a Ukrainian refugee or a Ukrainian family. You are rising to the challenge like never before. We see and thank you, he emphasized.

Brzezinski noted that “Russia must pay for what it destroyed.” – The G7 agreed to block Russian assets until we find some legal structure thanks to which some of these amounts could be used to pay for what Russia destroyed in Ukraine. Russia must pay, he repeated.

The US ambassador was also asked about the March meeting of President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the White House. – First of all, the president met together with President Duda and Prime Minister Tusk and they sent a joint message to Congress that Americans and Central Europe are able to stand together and support the adoption of this legal document in Congress – said Brzezinski.

He said that an “important part” of this meeting was the issue of energy security. – And the USA, I can proudly say, is a special partner for Poland when it comes to the civilian use of nuclear energy – he added.

The TVN24 guest noted that “Poland will have to make a decision about the second power plant.” – There are certain possibilities that will be available to Poles in terms of financial issues, time and construction schedule of this power plant, if the same nuclear technology is selected and if the same contractor is also selected. The one responsible for the first power plant – he informed.

The current version of the Polish Nuclear Energy Program (PPEJ) from 2020 assumes the construction of two nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 6-9 GW. Construction of the first one – in Pomerania – would start in 2026, the first unit would be launched in 2033, and the next two units within the next three years. The previous government indicated the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium as a partner for this construction. Approval of the selection of the location for the second power plant would take place in 2028, and construction would begin in 2032.

In the conversation, Brzezinski also talked about the issue of the presence of US troops in Poland. – Providing support for American troops in Poland is something that is very well received in the United States. Now, as we speak, over 10,000 American soldiers are standing guard in Poland, shoulder to shoulder with Polish soldiers to keep Poland safe. This is not based on personal relationship issues. Poland and the USA have the strongest reinforced defense cooperation agreement, which talks about the division of our burdens between the USA and Poland, which of us will do what when it comes to the defense of Poland, as well as the stationing of American soldiers here – said the US ambassador to Poland.

He added, “this is the most comprehensive agreement that the American armed forces have signed with any country in Europe.” – And our soldiers are in various locations in Poland, all over the country thanks to this agreement – he added.

When asked about Poland joining the Nuclear Sharing program, Brzezinski said he could not talk about it. – But I can say that there is no evidence that Russia actually plans to use or transfer its nuclear weapons (…). We are observing the situation and all possibilities with great attention. And today, I believe that this is not happening in any operational way, he emphasized.

When asked about Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus, Brzezinski said that “we have no evidence that the Russians are transferring their nuclear weapons towards Poland today.” – We are monitoring it – he assured.

Nuclear Sharing is a NATO program that has been operating since the 1960s. It is one of the elements of NATO's nuclear deterrent, connecting the US and its European allies who do not have their own nuclear weapons. It is a practical extension of the American nuclear umbrella to Europe.

Commenting meeting of Donald Trump with President Andrzej Duda, Brzezinski said that “there is a history in the United States of foreign leaders meeting with leaders and leadership candidates from different parties.” – It is a tradition that works – he said.