Warsaw, 21 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has caused speculation with a statement about arms deliveries to Kiev, amid a disupte over the Polish import ban on Ukrainian grain to protect Polish farmers.

In an interview with broadcaster Polsat News on Wednesday evening, Morawiecki was questioned by the presenter whether Warsaw would continue to support Ukraine with weapons and humanitarian aid despite the grain dispute, to which the premier responded, "we are already no longer supplying arms to Ukraine, but are equipping ourselves with the most modern weapons."

Morawiecki went on to say that Poland had hugely increased its orders for armaments. "If you don't want to defend yourself, you have to have something to defend yourself with. We adhere to that principle, that is why we have placed increased orders."

Poland's armed forces should be modernized so that the country will have one of the strongest land armies in Europe, Morawiecki said.

While his first statement on arms seemed clearly worded, the context of the interview suggested that Morawiecki was more likely not referring to a complete halt in Polish arms deliveries to Kiev.

Rather, he seemed to emphasize that Poland was not only supplying arms to the neighbouring country, but was also upgrading its own army at the same time.

However, several Polish news outlets, including the English-language service of the PAP news agency, interpreted Morawiecki's statement as meaning that Poland would stop supplying weapons to Ukraine due to the grain dispute. The Polish government did not immediately respond to a request for clarification from dpa.

At another point in the interview, Morawiecki stressed that the government in Warsaw would in no way endanger Ukraine's security. "Our (military supply) hub in Rzeszow, in agreement with the Americans and NATO, is fulfilling the same role the whole time as it has fulfilled and will fulfill," he assured.

It is through the city of Rzeszow in south-eastern Poland that much of the military aid from Ukrainian allies goes into the war-torn country.

The EU and NATO country Poland is not only one of Ukraine's most important political and military supporters. It has also taken in a large number of war refugees from the neighbouring country since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Photo: MIA archive