Polish ambassador to USA: we are interested in an increased number of American soldiers in Poland

Poland's Ambassador in Washington Marek Magierowski spoke on Wednesday with "Fakty" TVN U.S. correspondent Marcin Wrona. He was asked, among other things, about the potential need to upgrade Poland's anti-aircraft defence capabilities after the tragic stray missile blast which killed two people.

Asked if any talks with the United States were ongoing in that regard, Magierowski replied that "such talks are ongoing all the the time, not only on air defence, but about strengthening our capabilities in general".

"We've kept on stressing that we are interested in an increased number of American soldiers in Poland" - the ambassador said.

Magierowski reminded that the US V Corps permanent HQ has been established in Poznań, but added that "it's obviously not enough for us". "We would like to have as many soldiers as possible, because we realize how huge importance in terms of deterrence the physical presence of American soldiers has in this or any other NATO country," he explained.

In his view, "we should also remember that we're striving to strengthen defence capabilities of all eastern flank countries". "I'm deeply convinced that these countries are most exposed to Russia's aggressive posture in the coming years," he argued.

Magierowski added he was also deeply convinced the talks in that regard would be fruitful.

The ambassador also told Marcin Wrona about the diplomatic contact between Poland and the USA after the missile blast in the village of Przewodów.

"We were in constant communication with both the Department of State and the National Security Bureau right here on the spot," he said, but refused to reveal any details of said talks.

He stressed the embassy was also in contact with Warsaw.

"In the days following these tragic events we heard many compliments from our American partners, because Polish authorities acted so wisely, with such restraint. I think this posture was acknowledged, and so was the fact that during this expedited course on crisis management, given all tragic circumstances of this incident, it turned out that this coordination, and this communication in particular, was nearly flawless," Magierowski said.

The ambassador added that "the discussion between the presidents (of Poland and the United States - edit.) was probably the crucial element in this whole commotion".

"This was also a proof of how seriously the Americans treat us as partners and how we treat our commitments as allies. NATO has always been an organization based on mutual trust and credibility," he said.

Polish ambassador was also asked about concerns that the Republican majority in U.S. Congress could decrease American aid for Ukraine, as some Republicans argue that is what the country should do.

"The concerns are obviously serious, that's why we're involved in intensive talks here, not trying to convince the convinced, but rather ... by meeting with congressmen and representatives of those think tanks - mainly associated with this more conservative ... wing of the Republican Party - who have been most vocal in protesting against spending too much money - in their opinion - on support for Ukraine," Magierowski said.

"We are also trying to convince the American public opinion, including voters, that - cynically and brutally speaking - for America it simply pays off," he went on.

He added that "the more fund America, but also Western Europe, and even Poland, will dedicate to helping Ukraine, the less we will have to spend in the future, and the less this confrontation - not strictly military, but certainly political and economic - with Russia will cost in the future".

The chief of the Polish Embassy in the United States also spoke about U.S. involvement in the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Poland. American company Westinghouse will be a strategic partner in the project. Polish government, however, is also holding talks on nuclear energy and construction of the second plant with South Korea.

"Deputy Prime Minister (Jacek) Sasin, who has visited (the United States - edit.) recently and met with his counterpart energy secretary Jennifer Granholm, has spoke about it clearly and explained where the idea of contacting and launching talks with a Korean company has originated," Magierowski said.

He argued that "this is a completely different contract, another place and another path, when it comes to our nuclear interest and our initiatives related to it".

Asked if this had caused a "discord" in Polish-American relations, the ambassador replied: "I wouldn't call it a discord. Deputy Prime Minister Sasin came here, had a meeting, it was a very good discussion".

"Fakty" TVN correspondent pointed out that Sasin's visit had taken place on Sunday, which usually never happens and points to a certain urgency of the meeting.

"I don't know how urgent was this need. Madam secretary thought Sunday was a working day and she would gladly meet with the deputy prime minister. It was a long discussion during which the deputy prime minister explained - in a very good, reasonable, and concrete way, I believe - all these tangles related with our nuclear contracts and our nuclear energy-related plans," ambassador Magierowski said.