Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz says she wants a greater military presence in Poland in light of events in Ukraine. The comment came as the US announced it is deploying 700 soldiers and 20 ‘Ironhorse’ tanks across the three Baltic States and Poland.
The comments were made during Kopacz's inauguration speech to the
lower house of the Polish parliament.
“In the face of what is happening in Ukraine, closer
relations with the United States become more important. That is
why my government will make every effort to ensure that the
United States increases its military presence in Poland,”
she said.
Meanwhile, the so-called ‘Ironhorse’ armed cavalry unit –
consisting of 20 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks and about 700
soldiers, along with Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles – is
being sent from its base in Texas and marks a considerable
increase in tensions between NATO and Russia.
The Baltic countries and Poland have said they are nervous about
an increasingly assertive Russia in the face of recent events in
Ukraine. This is the first time the US has shipped heavy armored
reinforcements to Europe since the end of the Cold War, Reuters
reported.
“The purpose is to be a very visible demonstration of
commitment to our allies. We may take slightly longer to deploy
than lighter forces, but there’s nothing like a tank if you
really want to achieve effect,” said Captain John Farmer,
public affairs officer for Ironhorse.
Ironhorse, formerly called the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Cavalry Division, will replace a similar number of lightly armed
US paratroopers, who were deployed after Crimea's accession in
March.
Tensions between Russia and NATO increased dramatically due to
the crisis in Ukraine, although mistrust and discontent between
the two have been simmering for the past decade.
Russia has warned many times against NATO’s increased buildup and
march eastward toward its borders, which it views as a threat.
READ MORE:Russia to boost Crimea troop numbers, worries over
military build-up at borders
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in July that the planned US
missile defense system in Eastern Europe is not just for
defensive purposes, but is an “offensive weapon” which
is an “element of the US offensive system deployed outside
the mainland.”
“As it stands NATO is blatantly building up its forces in
Eastern Europe, including the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea areas.
Its operational and combat training activities are gaining in
scale,” he said.
Along with the planned missile defense shield and the enlargement
of the military alliance into countries like Ukraine, NATO has
also been expanding its military activities in the Black and
Baltic Sea.
READ MORE:Ukraine hosts military drills led by US and joined by
NATO
Part of Russia’s response to NATO's buildup on its borders and
the proposed US missile defense shield has been to deploy the
advanced Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad enclave, as
well as to increase its own military spending and modernization.