Duda said that both Ukraine and NATO were treating Polish territory as if it were their own….reports Asian Lite News
Polish President Andrzej Duda has issued a strong warning that Poland may close its key logistics hub for NATO military aid to Ukraine, citing frustration over being sidelined in crucial decisions involving the use of Polish infrastructure, RT reported.
In remarks to journalists on Wednesday, Duda said that both Ukraine and NATO were treating Polish territory as if it were their own. “They think that the airport in Rzeszow and our highways belong to them, as if they’re theirs. Well, they’re not. They’re ours,” the president declared.
The Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, situated roughly 80km from the Ukrainian border, has served as the primary entry point for Western military equipment headed to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022. RT noted that around 80–90% of NATO and partner-supplied equipment—arms, ammunition, vehicles, and other military support—passes through this hub.
Duda described Poland’s absence from coordination forums directing this flow of aid as a “scandal.” He stressed that Warsaw’s critical role was being taken for granted and warned of possible drastic steps if that dynamic doesn’t change. “If someone doesn’t like it, we close it and goodbye. Deliver [the aid] by sea, by air, I don’t know, drop it by parachute,” he said.
RT reported that the Polish president also tied the matter to a broader imbalance in how Poland is treated within the NATO alliance. “We need to have the courage to speak with the Germans and Americans,” Duda said, suggesting that Poland’s contributions are being overlooked by its Western allies.
Russia has consistently criticized the West’s military support for Ukraine, saying it only prolongs the conflict and obstructs diplomacy. Moscow argues that NATO’s involvement through such logistics lines intensifies the war without shifting its outcome, RT added.
Duda’s comments come just weeks before he is scheduled to leave office in August. His successor, Karol Nawrocki—a historian and the head of the Institute of National Remembrance—is expected to adopt a firmer stance toward Ukraine. RT reported that Nawrocki has expressed deep reservations about Ukraine’s potential NATO and European Union membership, citing both security concerns and Ukraine’s domestic preparedness.
Nawrocki has also openly criticized Ukraine for commemorating controversial nationalist figures associated with wartime atrocities against Poles during World War II. While he is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after taking office, observers believe that Nawrocki’s administration will likely pursue a more confrontational and cautious approach to Ukraine, especially regarding Kyiv’s European aspirations.
The possible closure of the Rzeszow hub would pose a major logistical challenge for NATO, as alternative routes for military aid would be significantly more complex and time-consuming. Much of the military support to Ukraine relies on overland transport through Poland due to its proximity and well-developed infrastructure.
Poland has long been one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters within the EU and NATO. But tensions have grown in recent months, fuelled by disagreements over grain imports, transport rules, and historical grievances. The latest comments from Duda reflect a growing desire in Warsaw for greater recognition of Poland’s strategic role and a seat at the decision-making table.
Duda’s remarks have triggered reactions across the region, with analysts warning that any move to halt or restrict access to Polish logistics routes could severely disrupt NATO’s efforts to sustain Ukraine’s defences.
As the war continues into its third year, Poland’s position as a frontline NATO state and logistical gateway is increasingly central. But as Warsaw signals impatience, pressure may grow within the alliance to better accommodate Polish concerns—or risk losing a vital supply lifeline to Ukraine.
