Polish president does not rule out sending soldiers to Ukraine

By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) – It is in Poland's interest for Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible, President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with the German daily Bild published on Tuesday, adding that Poland could send soldiers to Ukraine "but only after a cease-fire and as part of a NATO mission."

Poland, alongside the Baltic states, has been the most vociferous proponent of sending troops into Ukraine. Germany remains reticent, although its stance on supplying weaponry to Kyiv has changed fundamentally in the last half year.

The decision on Ukraine's accession to NATO will not be made at the Vilnius summit, Duda said, adding that “we have to wait until the end of the war.”

Duda said he understands Germany’s fear of a NATO war with Russia, but a possible NATO peacekeeping mission in Ukraine “is not just Germany's concern.”

“One should be aware that if Ukraine were admitted to NATO today, during the war, it would first demand the application of Article 5 (military assistance in the event of an attack),” he added.

"It all depends on what the agreements will be," he said, adding that “if Ukraine decides to hold peace talks with Russia and a decision is made on a peace operation with the participation of Western soldiers, guarding the cease-fire, Poland would take part in it.”