Poland urged to increase army strength to ‘defend’ against Russia

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Warsaw should consider increasing the size of its army because of Russia’s “imperial ambitions,” the Associated Press reported

Warszawa, 08.08.2019. Prezes PiS Jaros³aw Kaczyñski podczas oœwiadczenia dla mediów w siedzibie partii w Warszawie, 8 bm. (kf) PAP/Marcin Obara

Kaczynski stressed that Poland needs to pass a bill to strengthen the country’s armed forces. According to the document, Warsaw’s defence budget should increase significantly and the number of troops should be increased to 250,000 active soldiers and 50,000 reservists.

“If we want to avoid the worst, namely war, we must act according to the old rule: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war. Poland must have a serious deterrent force, as well as the ability to defend itself effectively over the long term”, –  the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Earlier, Kaczynski accused Russia and Belarus of waging a “hybrid war on two fronts. According to the Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Moscow and Minsk have allegedly created “a front near the Polish-Belarusian border and in Warsaw itself,” so Poland should build up the military power.