Poland’s Response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in the Context of European Security

This chapter examines the various factors influencing Poland’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the role it assumed in European security. As an actor who was aware of the threats posed by Russia, especially since 2014 annexation of Crimea, Poland has intensified its military and diplomatic efforts, along with providing Ukraine with military aid directly and verbalizing its support for Ukraine to drive the other Western actors to support it, too. Poland has advocated for Ukraine’s integration into Western institutions like the EU, implying its ambition of maintaining the role of a key actor in the Eastern European region. On top of this, Poland has functioned as a logistical hub in aiding Ukraine, aiming to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and turning its disadvantageous geopolitical position near Russia to a leverage. These actions are aimed to be explained through considering geopolitics, shared histories, foreign policy objectives of Poland, its Atlanticist and EU member state identities, and its domestic interests. Poland prioritizes regional security and its strategic position in NATO, and supports Ukraine despite small rifts like the stray missile case and agricultural ban issue between the two states.