Bundeswehr is starting preparations to deploy the US-produced Patriot anti-missile systems in Poland, with an evaluative unit to due to visit the country on Tuesday.
Berlin offered Poland the deployment of Patriots after last month’s rocket explosion in Przewodów near the border in Ukraine, which the early investigations indicated was an accident caused by a Ukrainian air defence missile. However, the issue stalled for some time as Warsaw insisted Germany send the systems to war-torn Ukraine.
The German military will begin preparations to deploy a surface-to-air Patriot anti-missile system in Poland in the coming days, security sources told German news agency DPA.
Additionally, a reconnaissance team will travel to Poland with the aim of inspecting suitable positions for the anti-aircraft defence system.
Meanwhile, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak recently accused the German side of breaking the confidentiality of the negotiations on Patriots. “Poland asked for confidentiality, but the Germans broke it. I can confirm it, but the evidence was also published by the German media” he said, as quoted by Polish RMF FM radio.
Mentioning the German media, Błaszczak apparently meant Bild, which blamed Lambrecht for revealing the details of the confidential negotiations in Poland for the purpose of self-promotion.
According to the timeline of events traced by the German newspaper, when receiving the offer, the Polish side expressed interest in it, but “requested” and “recommended” confidentiality of the information until the deal is agreed upon. Lambrecht, however, told Rheinische Post about the offer for Poland on 21 November.
“It was unprofessional. You cannot treat your NATO allies like this. It is bad for Germany and Bundeswehr,” commented a German military officer, quoted by Onet.
Lambrecht also faced criticism from within the German government. Germany must remember respect in communication with NATO partners like Poland. Otherwise, the trust-based cooperation may be easily rumbled, said FDP’s Markus Faber.
(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.pl)
Source: euractiv.com
