Poland Joins European Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition

On September 18, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland had become a member of a new anti-ballistic missile (ABM) coalition formed with Ukraine and other European partners. The declaration was made during a summit of eight Carpathian countries held in western Ukraine and was accompanied by a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Straits TimesNotes from Poland

The coalition brings together Ukraine, the eight Carpathian states—Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary—and a broader group of European nations that include Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The partnership aims to develop an integrated air-defence system that can serve as a cheaper complement to the U.S.-made Patriot system currently used by many European militaries. The prototype, codenamed Freyja, is slated for a first-half-next-year rollout, with Ukrainian arms manufacturer Fire Point leading the industrial effort.

Notes from Poland

Tusk said Poland had prepared a “significant” donation package for Ukraine, though details were not disclosed. Zelensky thanked Poland for the aid, describing the two nations as “strong neighbours, friends, and partners” with a common enemy. He also highlighted the sharing of Ukrainian-developed technologies with Polish partners and expressed hope that the Carpathian Eight summit would bolster Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership.

Notes from PolandThe Straits Times

On July 7, 2026, the Polish government confirmed the transfer of Patriot missiles to Ukraine following criticism from the right-wing opposition, and it released a list of all military donations made since 2022. In the same meeting, Zelensky referenced the painful legacy of the World-War-Two Volhynia massacres, noting that open dialogue on “sensitive” historical issues is essential for the friendship between the two countries. Tusk echoed this sentiment, thanking Zelensky for acknowledging Polish sensitivities.

Notes from Poland

• “From today, Poland is part of this major project ... we agreed on the forms and frameworks of this cooperation,” — Donald Tusk, polish prime minister

The Straits Times

• “I will be very consistent here. No one will change my opinion that Poland has to support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression ... History cannot divide us vis-a-vis Russia today,” — Donald Tusk, polish prime minister

The Straits Times

• “Yes, Poland is now part of this great project,” — Donald Tusk, polish prime minister

Notes from Poland

• “Ukraine possesses unique technologies developed during the war, and we are ready to share them with Donald [Tusk] and our Polish partners,” — Zelensky. The Polish

Notes from Poland

• “We may sometimes speak very directly, but if we are friends, we must openly discuss topics that are sensitive to both sides,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, inbox ukrainian president

Notes from Poland