Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held talks in the Ukrainian Carpathians, where the first summit of the new «Carpathian Eight» regional format is taking place on 18 September. One of the main topics of the bilateral meeting was defence cooperation and Poland’s possible participation in a European anti-ballistic missile coalition. Even before the talks, Tusk had confirmed that he planned to discuss this in detail with Zelenskyy.
- Zelenskyy and Tusk held talks in the Carpathians.
- The main topic is defence against Russian missiles.
- Poland is considering joining an anti-ballistic missile coalition.
- Ukraine is prepared to share its military technology.
- Tusk confirmed his continued support for Ukraine.
Ukraine is ready to share its military expertise with Poland
Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to share with Poland the technology and practical experience gained during years of full-scale war. This primarily concerns expertise in countering Russian missiles and drones.
Ukraine is already involved in the creation of the European FREYJA anti-ballistic missile system. In July, Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Spain and Sweden signed a declaration on the establishment of an Integrated the anti-ballistic coalition. The document specifically highlights Ukraine’s unique combat experience in countering Russian ballistic missiles.
«We developed these technologies during the war, and we are now ready to share them with Donald and our Polish partners. We are currently building an anti-ballistic coalition. We will create a European anti-ballistic system,» said Zelenskyy.
The President had previously stated that the coalition’s task is — to have a system ready for testing as early as 2026, and leading European defence companies are working on the programme.
Poland may join the anti-ballistic missile coalition
Donald Tusk On the eve of his visit to Ukraine, he told the Polish Sejm that he planned to discuss the matter with Zelenskyy Poland’s participation in the anti-ballistic coalition and the use of Ukrainian technological capabilities.
Ahead of the summit, the Polish Prime Minister confirmed that this particular issue would be one of the key topics in his talks with the Ukrainian President.
«We will discuss Poland’s participation in the anti-ballistic missile coalition,» said Tusk ahead of his meeting with Zelenskyy.
Back in July, the Polish Prime Minister stated that Warsaw was prepared to join the coalition if Polish defence companies were able to offer the necessary technological solutions. Poland’s potential involvement could therefore extend beyond political support to include cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries.
Tusk: Poland will continue to stand by Ukraine
During his visit, the Polish Prime Minister emphasised that he had come to Ukraine, in particular, to show solidarity against the backdrop of intensifying Russian attacks. He said that the coming weeks and months could prove challenging not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe.
«It is important to me that our Ukrainian friends see that Poland stands by them,» said Tusk.
Warsaw’s stance on continuing support for Ukraine is also set out in official Polish-Ukrainian documents. A joint communiqué issued by the governments of the two countries emphasised that The security of Ukraine and Poland is inextricably linked, whilst Russian aggression poses a threat to the stability of the entire region.
Russian attacks are drawing closer to the Polish border
The talks are taking place against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in the security situation along Ukraine’s western borders.
13 September Russian attack took place approximately two kilometres from the Ukrainian-Polish border. Following this, Tusk convened a special meeting of the Polish security services and stated that Warsaw does not rule out further escalation, which could potentially affect Polish territory as well.
On 17 September, Tusk also told the Sejm that, according to Polish intelligence services, Russia may be carrying out hybrid drone and missile strikes against countries that support Ukraine, particularly Poland. Against this backdrop, the development of a joint missile defence system is becoming, for Warsaw, not only a matter of assisting Ukraine, but also part of the defence of its own territory.
A new C8 format has been launched in the Carpathians
The talks between Zelenskyy and Tusk took place as part of the first summit «The Carpathian Eight» — C8.
The new format brings together Ukraine and seven neighbouring countries close to the Carpathians: Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and Serbia. The European Union will also be involved in this collaboration.
Zelenskyy stated that C8 should cover security, energy, logistics, cross-border economic cooperation and regional support.
One of the first practical areas of focus under the new format is, in fact, the issue of collective security against the backdrop of Russian attacks and the development of the European missile defence system.
