East Front News #47: Polish MOD in the Pentagon; EU SAFE

Polish Minister of Defence in USA

„Very important is the topic of the Apache attack helicopters, the first eight of which will arrive in Poland this year; the F-35 implementation process is underway; there is the matter of an Abrams maintenance center; there is the question of linking all these systems into one; and something only we and the Americans have access to—the air defence »brain,« IBCS.”- said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. In the last week he had a visit in the Pentagon, where he talk with the U.S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Polish Migration Strategy 2025–2030: What's Next?

Introduced in October 2024, Poland’s Migration Strategy for 2025–2030 signaled a major shift toward stricter migration controls and a stronger emphasis on national security. Now, in June 2025, attention turns to implementation—translating broad policy declarations into real-world action. The strategy aims to tighten access to Poland’s territory through selective visa systems, more regulated labor and educational migration, and reformed asylum procedures that prevent abuse while upholding humanitarian standards. It also highlights the need for effective integration—without forced assimilation—ensuring migrants respect Polish laws and values. 

While the document laid out ambitious goals, the current phase reveals significant implementation challenges. Despite clear institutional responsibilities, there is still no fully functioning system coordinating migration policy across national and local authorities. Administrative readiness is patchy, and the scale of needed training and structural reform is only now becoming clear. Delays raise concerns, especially given rising global migration pressures, regional instability, and hybrid threats from countries like Belarus and Russia. 

The strategy rightly prioritizes Poland’s national interest, stressing border control, public safety, and societal cohesion. However, nearly eight months after its introduction, Poland must accelerate operational planning. Without urgent action, the risk remains that well-intentioned policies will fall short in practice—leaving Poland exposed to unmanaged migration flows and unprepared for future demographic and security challenges.

Polish-French Defence Cooperation (INTERVIEW)

Léo Péria-Peigné, Research Fellow at the Security Studies Center of the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), provides a detailed analysis of France’s growing role on NATO’s Eastern Flank, with particular emphasis on its strategic partnership with Poland.

He discusses France’s military presence in the region and the evolving security landscape in Eastern Europe in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression. A central focus is the recently signed France–Poland defense treaty, which marks a significant step in deepening bilateral military cooperation and enhancing joint defense planning between the two countries.

Defence billions from the EU. What will Poland buy and how much will it gain?

The Council of the European Union today adopted regulations establishing a joint financing instrument for defence procurements — known as SAFE — and Poland will be one of its principal beneficiaries. It is worth considering what Poland might purchase with EU funds and what economic benefits will follow. To know what kind of benefits Poland can poses, read more HERE.

HIMARS and Airborne Forces from Poland Arrive in Finland

Soldiers from the 6th Airborne Brigade and the 1st Missile Brigade will take part in the multinational Exercise Swift Response 25 on Finnish territory. Their movement, together with equipment (including an M142 HIMARS launcher), was carried out aboard the mine-layer transport ship ORP Toruń.

Russian Africa Corps with new equipment

In recent days, promotional photos have appeared on social media platforms used by the African Corps, showing deliveries of weapons received by operators of this relatively new, Russian formation. They show a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle moving across the savannah – most likely the Malian savannah. The exact number of IFVs sent by Moscow in the latest tranche is not known. It is worth noting, however, that a much larger batch of heavy equipment sent to the African Corps was recorded in January this year, when the group’s social media platforms included: Kamaz trucks, T-72 tanks with protective cages at the turret, BMD-1 IFVs, BTR-80A/82 armoured personnel carriers, Spartak armoured vehicles, Linza armoured ambulances, and Tigr armoured off-road vehicles. 

It is worth noting that the African Corps and the Wagner Group operate simultaneously in Mali, but Moscow seems to be strengthening the capabilities of the former in order to finally integrate the Wagners into the Corps structures. The equipment is transported to the port in the Guinean capital of Conakry from where it is transferred by land to the countries where the Corps is stationed in the Sahel: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The aim of strengthening the African Corps is primarily to protect friendly African juntas and to moderate internal conflicts in order to destabilize the region. 

Ukraine Awaits Russian Memorandum

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has announced that Kyiv is awaiting the receipt of a memorandum from Russia regarding a peace agreement ahead of the talks scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. He emphasized that Ukraine has not yet seen the content of the document and is waiting to receive it so that the negotiations can be constructive and lead to an end to the war. Umerov noted that Ukraine has already sent Russia its own document outlining its position and confirmed the country’s readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire, as well as for further diplomatic efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the Kremlin had proposed holding the next round of peace talks on June 2 in Istanbul and intends to present the Ukrainian side with a memorandum regarding a peace agreement at that time.  

He added that the document outlines Russia’s position on all aspects of eliminating the causes of the crisis. Earlier, on May 16, the first direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since the beginning of the Russian aggression took place in Istanbul. Moscow and Kyiv agreed on a prisoner exchange in a 1000-for-1000 format, which was carried out over the past weekend. However, the negotiations did not result in an agreement on a ceasefire. Ukraine stresses that it expects concrete and binding security guarantees—not just assurances—as was the case with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which failed to prevent Russian aggression. 

Polish Black Panthers Train to Conduct Amphibious Operations

Tank crews from the 20th Mechanized Brigade carried out their first training in deep‐wading water‐obstacle crossing on the new equipment. The 20th Mechanized Brigade conducted exercises in crossing water obstacles by deep wading with the new main battle tanks, the K2 Black Panthers.

First "Wizjer" UAVs delivered

The first two sets of the mini-class unmanned reconnaissance system „Wizjer” have been handed over to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. This marks the start of fulfilling an order placed with the state defence industry.

On December 29, 2021, the Ministry of National Defence (MON), under the Wizjer programme, ordered 25 complete NeoX-2 „Duch” unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. Each system consists of: a ground control station, a data terminal, a portable video terminal, and four flying-wing aircraft (100 aircraft in total).  These UAVs carry optoelectronic reconnaissance payloads. The contract, worth 174 million PLN, also includes training and logistical support packages.

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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