East Front News #101: Germany interested in producing American systems and the Ukraine's source of labour to rebuild itself

Does Ukraine need immigrants from Africa to rebuild?

The article argues that Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction will depend not only on weapons, money and security guarantees, but also on people. With millions of Ukrainians abroad and many unlikely to return, Kyiv may need foreign workers to rebuild infrastructure, industry, agriculture and public services.

Africa is presented as a potential source of labour because of its young population and Ukraine’s expanding diplomatic presence on the continent. However, the article warns that large-scale migration would require careful planning, integration rules, border cooperation and protection against Russian disinformation.

Author: Aleksander Olech

Alberta's Brexit moment? How a fringe separatist campaign might become Canada's biggest unity test in decades

The article describes how Alberta separatism has moved from the political margins into Canada’s national debate after another Liberal federal election victory. Separatist groups pushed for a referendum, and the issue is now part of a broader provincial vote planned for October 2026. 

Support for full independence remains a minority position, but frustration over federal energy, environmental and economic policies has made the movement politically significant. The article compares the situation to Brexit, warning that fringe ideas can gain momentum when they become symbols of wider dissatisfaction. 

Author: Natalia Iwaszko – Walsh 

Poland should fight to become a host nation for NATO AI centre

Dr Karolina Grenda argues that NATO needs a dedicated Centre of Excellence for artificial intelligence because AI is becoming central to command, intelligence, cyber defence, information warfare and interoperability. Existing NATO centres address parts of the issue, but none has AI as its main mandate. 

The article presents Poland as a strong candidate because of its eastern-flank position, high defence spending, cyber expertise and direct access to lessons from Ukraine’s war experience. Hosting such a centre would give Poland influence over NATO doctrine, standards and future AI capabilities. 

Author: Aleksander Olech 

Germany is interested in producing American systems

Germany is seeking permission from the United States to manufacture selected American weapons systems on its territory. The talks reportedly concern systems such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot PAC-3 missiles, which could help accelerate European rearmament. 

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed Berlin’s interest, arguing that American production capacity is limited and should be expanded through cooperation. Germany wants greater defence independence while maintaining close ties with the US defence industry. 

Author: Patryk Jagnieża 

Poland ties Ukraine's EU accession to resolution of Bandera legacy, refuses to transfer MiG-29 jets

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland would make its own decision on Ukraine’s EU accession. He warned that Ukraine’s approach to historical memory, including the role of Stepan Bandera, could become an obstacle in the accession process. 

Kosiniak-Kamysz also confirmed that Poland will not transfer its remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. He said Kyiv had not implemented a proposed exchange under which Poland would provide the aircraft in return for Ukrainian drone technology and combat experience. 

Author: Sylwia Kubica

Exercises near the Korean border

South Korea’s Marine Corps held exercises near the maritime border with North Korea in the Yellow Sea. The drills took place near Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong islands and involved K9 howitzers, Chunmoo rocket systems and Spike missiles. 

The exercises were described as defensive and routine, but they took place despite the new South Korean president’s preference for de-escalation. The article notes that military activity near the border may further strain relations with Pyongyang. 

Author: Patryk Jagnieża

The invisible B-2 sinks a ship in the Pacific

The United States Air Force tested new maritime strike capabilities for the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber during Valiant Shield 26 exercises. The aircraft used LRASM anti-ship missiles to destroy a decommissioned vessel near the Mariana Islands. 

The test showed that stealth bombers can support maritime operations in the Pacific. The B-2 Spirit, produced by Northrop Grumman, is expected to be replaced in the coming years by the B-21 Raider. 

Author: Michał Górski 

European orders create 200,000 jobs in the US

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said European orders for American weapons are worth about $300 billion and support nearly 200,000 jobs in the United States. He presented this as evidence that European defence spending also benefits the American economy. 

The article also refers to the NATO Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, focused on defence production, investment and innovation. The event will review allied progress towards increasing defence and wider security spending. 

Author: Michał Górski

Secret Russian-Chinese training

According to Reuters, about 200 Russian soldiers reportedly trained at Chinese military facilities in 2025. The training allegedly included radiological, chemical and biological defence, and some soldiers may later have been deployed to the Ukrainian front. 

China and Russia denied the reports, calling them baseless. The article argues that covert military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is causing growing concern in Europe, especially in the context of China’s role in supporting Russia’s war effort. 

Author: Patryk Jagnieża 

Sweden wants faster rearmament

Sweden’s armed forces reportedly want the country to increase defence spending to between 4% and 5% of GDP within a few years. This would go beyond the government’s current plan, which aims for lower levels by 2030. 

The article argues that Sweden is quickly moving from neutrality-era assumptions to the demands of NATO defence planning. The main challenges include ammunition, air defence, drones, logistics, personnel, infrastructure and readiness in the Baltic and northern regions. 

Author: Aleksander Olech 

Crimea declares an emergency situation. What is happening on the peninsula?

Russian-installed authorities in Crimea declared an emergency situation after intensified Ukrainian attacks on logistics, fuel infrastructure, ports, roads, railways and energy facilities. Fuel restrictions, blackouts and shortages have worsened daily life for residents of the peninsula. 

The article argues that Ukraine is trying to bring the consequences of the war closer to Russian-controlled territory. By targeting Crimea and deeper Russian infrastructure, Kyiv aims to increase pressure on Moscow and weaken Vladimir Putin’s image of control. 

Author: Amelia Wojciechowska 

India and China: a limited but advancing thaw

India and China are cautiously improving relations after years of tensions caused by border clashes and the COVID-19 pandemic. The thaw gained momentum after high-level meetings, renewed diplomatic contacts and the resumption of direct commercial flights. 

Despite this progress, serious obstacles remain, including the unresolved border dispute, China’s support for Pakistan and rivalry in the Indian Ocean. The article suggests that rapprochement will continue slowly because it serves the pragmatic interests of both countries. 

Author: Adam Burakowski 

Lithuania moves to lift nuclear deployment ban

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said political leaders broadly agree that the country should remove a constitutional ban on deploying nuclear weapons on its territory. He argued that the rule is outdated and could make Lithuania a weak link within NATO. 

The debate is linked to wider discussions about European nuclear deterrence, including French proposals and possible US deployments in Europe. Changing the Constitution would require two parliamentary votes with a three-month interval between them. 

Author: Patryk Jagnieża 

President Karol Nawrocki's visit to Türkiye: towards a new strategic partnership?

President Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Türkiye focused on NATO cooperation, defence industry ties and military cooperation between Poland and Türkiye. The article argues that the visit may mark a new phase in Polish-Turkish relations, moving beyond standard diplomacy. 

A key element was the Polish delegation’s visit to ASELSAN, a major Turkish defence electronics company. The article highlights potential cooperation in technology transfer, joint industrial projects and operational cooperation, including Poland’s military presence at İncirlik Air Base. 

Author: Natalia Adrianna Potera 

There's no room for error in the urban warfare. How is modern counterterrorism changing?

The article describes the Forces Cooperation 2 Urban Combat exercise held in Poznań and at the European Security Academy facilities. The event brought together Polish and foreign counter-terrorism units to train urban operations, medical evacuation, firearms skills and inter-agency cooperation. 

The exercise showed the growing importance of drones, electronic warfare, battlefield medicine and interoperability between police, military and other services. The article argues that such training is a direct investment in national security, especially in the face of sabotage, organised crime and sub-threshold threats. 

Author: Jacek Marcin Raubo