Poland plans ‘radical’ strengthening of its military

By VANESSA GERA
Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s ruling party leader has presented plans for a bill to “defend the fatherland.” Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Tuesday that the legislation is aimed at “radically” strengthening the military as the European Union nation faces migration pressure from its eastern neighbor Belarus. Kaczynski, the most powerful politician in the country, said a deteriorating international situation and Poland’s geopolitical situation were the reasons for the bill. Examples he gave included “Russia’s imperial ambitions” and the hybrid warfare being waged by Belarus against EU nations. He argued that as a country on EU’s and NATO’s eastern flank, Poland must have a serious deterrent force.