Speaking at a conference held in Warsaw to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the need for rebuilding national unity and strengthening alliances, particularly in support of Ukraine and "in preparation for worst-case scenarios."
He told the conference that the alliance should focus on both "the next 25 years" and "the next 25 months," Polish state news agency PAP reported.
"The next year or so will be crucial for the security of Poland due to what may happen in Ukraine," Kosiniak-Kamysz stated.
"The armed forces, citizens, nongovernmental organizations, state institutions - everyone has a specific role to play," he said. "That's why we are putting so much effort into creating the strongest law concerning civil defense."
He explained that his own ministry and that of the interior and administration were working on measures to strengthen civil defense.
Being part of NATO, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz, is not only a military choice but also a "civilizational" one.
"Poland has always proven that we are a Western country and that is the side we are on,” he remarked.
He also highlighted what he said was a fundamental difference between Western countries and Russia, saying: "The Russian Federation, and before that the Soviet Union, has always represented the same thing: a lack of respect for life, with a disregard for its own losses. Western civilization cannot accept that bombs are falling and children are dying."
Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested several possible courses of action to bolster NATO's eastern flank, including deploying more military equipment to Poland and other countries in the region, as well as stepping up joint military exercises and training.
(rt/gs)
Sources: PAP