During a meeting at the Pentagon on May 5, 2023, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak discussed the situation in Ukraine and ways to strengthen interoperability between the United States and Poland. The two leaders signed the Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement, which will deepen the partnership between the nations’ defense industrial bases.
Austin welcomed Blaszczak and highlighted the historic bond between the two nations, citing the role of Polish officer Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who fought with the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He also praised Poland’s strong support for Ukraine, saying that without Poland’s contributions, the United States would not have been able to do as much for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion.
Blaszczak acknowledged the challenging security situation on NATO’s eastern front due to the Russian invasion and emphasized Poland’s commitment to security and stability in the region. He also praised the solidarity, unity, and unprecedented support for Ukraine, saying he is convinced it will continue until Ukraine’s victory.
Poland hosts a U.S.-led NATO Battle Group and thousands of U.S. service members, and it has invested in state-of-the-art U.S. systems, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Abrams tank, the Patriot missile system, and the HIMARS multiple rocket-launching system. The Polish defense minister said he trusts that these acquisitions will ensure effective maintenance of the U.S.-made equipment used by the Polish armed forces in support of cooperation with the United States.
Blaszczak will also travel to Illinois to mark the 30th anniversary of Poland’s partnership with the Illinois National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program. The partnership between Poland and the United States continues to grow stronger, emphasizing their commitment to supporting each other and promoting security in the region.