Gen. Roman Polko: Mariusz Błaszczak’s remarks represent a breach in NATO solidarity

A dispute over Poland’s obligations to defend the Baltic states has turned into a broader argument about what NATO solidarity means.

Mariusz Błaszczak, the former defense minister and current head of the Law and Justice parliamentary club, was asked on Radio Zet whether Polish soldiers should come to Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania’s aid if Russia attacked. He replied that Polish soldiers should defend Poland and that alliances must remain strong, with cooperation with the United States a priority.

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Such statements are unacceptable, harmful and effectively serve the Kremlin’s interests because they strike at what the NATO alliance is.

The presenter pointed to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which treats an armed attack on one NATO member as an attack on all and requires each ally to provide whatever assistance it considers necessary. Błaszczak said Poland also bordered Russia and was effectively on the front line because Russia had taken control of Belarusian territory. He acknowledged the article’s solidarity principle but said the Polish government should focus on maintaining the best possible relations with Washington.

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If Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia are attacked, we treat it as if Poland were attacked.

Asked whether he would order assistance if he were again defense minister and one of the Baltic states came under attack, Błaszczak said it would depend on the circumstances. He noted that Polish troops are stationed in Latvia, meaning an attack there would also affect Polish forces. When pressed, he answered that Poland would of course help, but rejected the idea that the decision was simple. He argued that Poland’s soldiers must primarily defend their own country and credited Law and Justice governments with improving the military’s readiness.

Polko, a former commander of the GROM special forces unit, sharply criticized the remarks in an interview with Zero.pl. “Such statements are unacceptable, harmful and effectively serve the Kremlin’s interests because they strike at what the NATO alliance is,” he said. “If Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia are attacked, we treat it as if Poland were attacked.” Polko added that Article 5 does not mean other NATO countries defend Poland while Poland defends no one. It rests on solidarity, shared responsibility and common security.

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Polish soldiers should defend Poland.