#East Front News 36: Tusk-Erdoğan Meeting; Poland and Lithuania Cooperate on Mines; Embraer for Poland?

Hope Restored – US-Ukrainian Ceasefire Proposal

On March 11, representatives of the United States and Ukraine met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during which the parties reached an agreement that included the restoration of military aid and intelligence data to the Ukrainian side by Washington. In addition, Kiev declared its readiness to implement a 30-day ceasefire. Mike Waltz, the US National Security Advisor, announced that he would discuss the matter with his Russian counterpart in the coming days. Meetings with Steven Witkoff and a bilateral meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are also in the air. 

US-Ukrainian relations have returned to square one, and Kyiv has once again received key resources that guarantee the ability to resist Russian aggression in the long term. A potential ceasefire would be beneficial for Ukraine and would be a mechanism to check the real intentions of the Russian Federation, which, in the context of rejecting the proposal, would be perceived by Washington as an actor reluctant to end the conflict, which in turn rewards Ukraine. 

Tusk-Erdoğan Meeting

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk travelled to Turkey, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the Warsaw-Ankara partnership, and regional security. President Erdoğan highlighted the more than 600-years of history of Polish-Turkish relations, which provides a strong foundation for openly addressing regional issues as allies and strategic partners. Both countries have extensive experience in confronting Russian imperialism, shaping their ability to balance and impose firm conditions on Moscow. The leaders expressed their intention to increase trade volume, which reached approximately $12 billion in 2024, with a goal of achieving $15 billion. They also emphasized the significance of both nations in European security, given their strategic location as well as military and economic potential.  

The meeting also resulted in a commitment to expanding cooperation in the defence industry through joint projects, as well as facilitating visa processes, supporting entrepreneurs, and promoting student exchanges. Defense industry collaboration, particularly in the field of unmanned aerial systems, is a tangible prospect. Poland was among the first countries to purchase Turkish Bayraktar drones, which could serve as a foundation for further joint initiatives. President Erdoğan’s planned visit to Poland in April is expected to provide further details on this matter. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Turkey has advocated for a just peace and declared its readiness to mediate and host peace talks. Prime Minister Tusk proposed that Turkey take on shared responsibility for the peace process and guarantees of regional stability and security. Both leaders emphasized their shared understanding of Ukraine’s, the region’s, and Europe’s needs. Prime Minister Tusk’s visit to Turkey and his discussions with President Erdoğan represent a significant step toward strengthening the strategic partnership between Poland and Turkey, with the potential to enhance regional security and stability. 

French Nuclear Umbrella for Poland

France’s nuclear deterrence strategy is undergoing a significant evolution, expanding its scope beyond national defense to potentially cover European allies like Poland and the Baltic states. This shift comes in response to Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for nuclear weapon use. French leaders, including President Emmanuel Macron, have signaled a strong commitment to nuclear deterrence, emphasizing both France’s autonomy in decision-making and the necessity of reinforcing European security. The deployment of Rafale fighter jets and the possibility of extending nuclear guarantees beyond Germany highlight France’s intent to establish a more robust counterweight to Russian aggression. 

Historically, France’s nuclear capabilities have been shaped by strategic independence, a principle rooted in the policies of Charles de Gaulle. Despite rejoining NATO’s military structures in 2009, France has maintained its nuclear forces separate from NATO’s command, reinforcing an additional layer of deterrence within the alliance. The country’s arsenal, composed of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched nuclear warheads, remains a central pillar of its security doctrine. Recent advancements, such as the M51-3 missile and future third-generation submarines, demonstrate France’s commitment to modernizing its nuclear forces in response to emerging threats. 

For Poland and other regional allies, France’s expanded nuclear role presents new strategic opportunities. While the deployment of nuclear warheads on Polish soil is unlikely, the stationing of Rafale jets in Polish airspace and increased military cooperation with France could strengthen deterrence against Russia. Poland has an opportunity to engage with France as a security partner without necessarily committing to large-scale defense purchases. By aligning with both the U.S. and France, Poland can reinforce its security within NATO’s framework while contributing to a broader European nuclear deterrence strategy.

Another Batch of K2 Tanks Arrive in Poland

According to the State Secretary at the Ministry of National Defence, Paweł Bejda, another transport of K2 tanks has arrived in Poland. Another shipment of 12 K2 Black Panther tanks has arrived in Poland, and they will be assigned to the 16th Mechanized Division. Together with the previous delivery in February, which included 14 tanks, this means that the Polish Army currently possesses 110 out of the 180 K2 tanks. The remaining 70 vehicles will be delivered by the end of the this year.

Polish-Lithuanian Cooperation on Defence and Mines

The topic that unites us is the Eastern Shield and the Baltic Defence Line, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz after a conversation with Lithuania’s Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, who visited Warsaw. According to the ministers, a joint position of the Baltic countries, Poland and Finland is necessary in the case of a possible termination of the ban on anti-personnel mines, which, they emphasised, had been consistent in previous discussions.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, one of the topics was industrial-defence cooperation, including the operation of Leopard tanks, the initiative of a joint service centre for Himars launchers and Lithuania’s purchase of Piorun Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS). He again appealed to the Polish industry to increase the production of these weapons. He expressed his belief that the Kormoran minehunters are an attractive offer for the Lithuanian navy.

Fighting Drones, Air Defence. The Armament Agency Presents Its Plan (INTERVIEW)

„The plans are ambitious, but also costly,” said Brigadier General Dr. Eng. Michał Marciniak when asked by Defence24 about protecting Poland from drone attacks. We discussed the development of the country’s air defence.

At what stage the modernization programmes regarding the Polish air defences are? What would be the next steps in building the protective umbrella, under the skies of Poland? Will the Polish Pilica+ and Piorun systems face further development? We’ve asked Brig. General Michał Marciniak, Ph.D. Eng., Deputy Head of the Armament Agency, Plenipotentiary at the Polish Ministry of Defence for Building the IAMD System regarding those, and other matters.

Chełm Artillery Battalion Receives the K9A1 Howitzers

K9A1 self-propelled howitzers purchased from South Korea have been delivered to the 19th Chełm Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion. This marks the start of the process of re-equipping it from the outdated tracked 2S1 Gozdzik (Gvozdika) howitzers.

Embraer Presents Its Offer for Poland: Airlifters and Beyond

Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer has presented its offer for Poland. It concerns a medium-sized transport aircraft that could replace the C‑130E/H Hercules.

Since 2019, Poland has been running a program for new transport aircraft with the codename „Drop”. Until recently, this program was considered a low-priority project. Poland currently operates medium-sized C‑130 aircraft of the E and H versions, which are stationed in Powidz and, although old, are still capable of performing their missions.

Latest Abrams Tanks Arrive in Poznań

At the Land Forces Training Center in Poznań, home to the Abrams Tank Training Academy, a new round of crew and maintenance training for Abrams tanks began on 3rd March. This time, the training involves the latest version purchased for the Polish Armed Forces, the M1A2SEPv3.

Crews from the 1st Armoured Brigade, under the 18th Mechanized Division, along with instructors from the Land Forces Training Center and cadets from the Land Forces Academy, are participating in two specialized programs: OPNET (Operator New Equipment Training) for tank crews, and FMNET (Field Maintenance New Equipment Training) for technicians responsible for tank maintenance For the first time, the training is using the M1A2SEPv3 variant, which is currently the most advanced tank in the Polish Armed Forces.

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East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.

Aleksander Olech, PhD & Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief, Michał Górski