Poland is advocating for increased participation from NATO member navies in the policing of the Baltic Sea, including those from outside the region, due to the perceived threat from Russia, according to Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. He indicated that Warsaw will seek broader involvement from allies at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague next June, as mentioned in an interview with Reuters.

The urgency of securing the Baltic region was highlighted in November when two undersea fibre-optic cables were severed, with allied nations suspecting sabotage.

Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that just as allies monitor and secure the airspace over the Baltic states, nations beyond the immediate area should also participate in naval patrols in the sea. “Countries that are distanced from the conflict in Ukraine, those not as directly involved as Poland, should also play a role in ensuring security in this manner,” he stated.

His remarks resonate with a growing sentiment among European leaders that there is an urgent need to strengthen defenses, fueled by concerns that a European Union nation could be the next target of Russian President Vladimir Putin following Ukraine.

The potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency and the United States’ shifting focus towards China have further heightened these concerns. When asked about Poland’s readiness to counter Russia, Kosiniak-Kamysz replied, “Many of the actions being taken are driven by the principle of deterrence, primarily to ensure that it is not advantageous for any nation, particularly the clearly defined adversary, the Russian Federation, to launch an attack on Europe or NATO member states.”

He pointed out that Germany and France are nations capable of providing naval forces for the patrol of the Baltic Sea. When asked about potential U.S. assistance, Kosiniak-Kamysz remarked, “Europe must demonstrate its capacity to defend itself to ensure continued American presence on the continent.”

The prospect of Trump securing a second presidential term has sparked concerns regarding the U.S. commitment to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, as well as Washington’s involvement in NATO.

However, with the new administration set to take office on January 20, Kosiniak-Kamysz perceives a chance for Poland. He noted that Poland has established itself as a reliable business partner and a steadfast ally, being the largest NATO defense spender relative to GDP and a significant buyer of U.S. military equipment.

Due to escalating threats, Poland has consistently emphasized the necessity of increasing defense expenditures. Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the EU should allocate a minimum of 100 billion euros for defense, asserting that “without a fundamental change in the European Union’s current strategy, which invests only one and a half billion euros in the defense sector, the situation will deteriorate.”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged the alliance to enhance military assistance to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion, aiming to bolster Kyiv’s negotiating position in potential discussions with Moscow to resolve the conflict.

Norway has announced the deployment of its F-35 fighters to protect Polish airspace; however, Polish MiG-29 jets, which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has consistently requested, are not yet available for transfer to Ukraine, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz.

He stated, “The conditions necessary for the Polish state to achieve complete security are not fulfilled. We require a comprehensive support schedule.” While Poland appreciates Norway’s deployment, it anticipates further contributions from its allies and is actively engaging in discussions with them.