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Polish interior minister, US intelligence chief discuss Russia, Belarus

31.08.2023 07:00
Poland's Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński has said he has spoken on the phone with US intelligence chief Avril Haines to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine and the security of the eastern flank of NATO amid tensions with Moscow's ally Belarus.
Mariusz Kamiński
Mariusz KamińskiPAP/Michał Zieliński

"Today I had a phone conversation with the Director of National Intelligence," Kamiński said in a social media post late on Wednesday.

He added: "Director Haines and I discussed the current situation in Russia, Belarus and in Ukraine. Poland maintains contact with its American allies on an ongoing basis."

Kamiński said in a separate post that "the Polish-US partnership is the foundation of security" in Central and Eastern Europe.

US intelligence chief Avril Haines testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on Thursday, May 4, 2023. US intelligence chief Avril Haines. Photo: PAP/EPA/WILL OLIVER

"The cooperation with our US allies is crucial for the security of NATO’s eastern flank," he tweeted, adding that Polish security services "stay in close contact with their US counterparts."

Kamiński told reporters on Wednesday that Belarusian and Russian troops were set to begin exercises near the Polish border later this week.

“These drills are part of psychological warfare, including against Poland and our citizens,” he said during a visit to the border village of Usnarz Górny.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

Thursday is day 554 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP