Poland vows $26Bln in aid to Ukraine, 3.3% of Its GDP, says Duda
2 Min Read
Poland has allocated around 100 billion zlotys ($26 billion), or 3.3% of its GDP, in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including nearly 400 tanks and other military equipment.
-
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Polish President Andrzej Duda, is being greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Poland has allocated approximately 100 billion zlotys ($26 billion), equivalent to 3.3% of its GDP, on lethal and non-lethal assistance for Ukraine, President Andrzej Duda announced on Sunday.
"We really gave Ukraine a lot of equipment in relation to our capabilities. The bulk of assistance for Ukraine, both military and humanitarian, totals about 3.3% of our GDP. It is worth about 100 billion zlotys, including 12 billion in military aid," Duda told the Zero Youtube channel.
Poland has delivered nearly 400 tanks to Ukraine, along with hundreds of armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, rocket launchers, 10 MiG-29 aircraft, and 10 helicopters, according to the Polish president.
Duda vows continued support for Kiev
During a surprise visit to Kiev on Saturday, Duda vowed to continue military support for Ukraine.
"From the very beginning, we supported your pro-Western aspirations. Poles supported you during the Orange Revolution and also during the Euromaidan," Duda was quoted as saying by his office.
Duda's visit to Kiev coincided with Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations. During a speech at Sophia Square, he mentioned that Poland was the first country to officially recognize Ukraine's statehood in 1991.
Read more: Ukraine suffering massive losses in Kursk offensive, Russia says
Since February 2022, Poland has frequently stressed its significant military support for Ukraine, stating it has provided more assistance relative to its GDP than any other nation.
Poland alone has contributed an estimated $3 billion in aid to Ukraine, with around $1.8 billion allocated directly for military assistance.
At the same time, the two countries experienced a wave of tensions over imports of Ukrainian grain.
The situation escalated with heated exchanges between the governments of Ukraine and Poland, including threats from Ukraine to sue Poland at the World Trade Organization.
Amid these tensions, both nations say they recognize the need to reset and strengthen their strategic partnership, especially given their shared interest in pursuing Western aspirations of containing Russia. ​
Meanwhile, Russia has continually cautioned Western countries against sending weapons to Ukraine, arguing that such actions could further escalate the conflict.
Read more: Poland signs $10 bn deal for US Apache attack helicopters
