Advisor to the Polish General Staff on cooperation with the USA: We have a contingency plan

On 4 February, Lt. Gen. Piotr Błazeusz, Strategic Advisor to the Chief of the General Staff of Poland, gave an interview to TVP World in which he spoke, among other things, about European–American cooperation within NATO.

Asked whether Europe is currently capable of defending itself on its own without potential assistance from the United States, Gen. Błazeusz replied: „It is worth asking: does Europe today want to defend itself on its own? Do political decision-makers have faith in victory?” the general said, adding that in his view some European leaders „have doubts about victory.” At the same time, the officer expressed confidence that U.S. forces would come to Europe’s aid if it were attacked by the Russian Federation. „I strongly believe that if Russia makes this big, foolish mistake and attacks Europe, the United States will come to our aid (…).”

In the context of cooperation with the Americans, Gen. Błazeusz was also asked whether the Polish Armed Forces have plans in the event of a lack of assistance from Washington. „You must always have a main plan as well as contingency plans (so-called branch plans). It is natural to consider various possible scenarios, including the one mentioned, but I firmly believe that the Americans will not abandon us,” he replied, confirming that despite a partial reduction of the U.S. Army’s presence on the Old Continent, „their key capabilities will still remain in Europe.”

„You always need to have a contingency plan, but I have no doubts that the Americans will be with us if bad things happen here,” he added, emphasizing that Poland still has a strong need to remain active both in the European Union and in the North Atlantic Alliance.