United States Vice President Kamala Harris visits Poland to underscore America's commitment to promoting security in the region, with the announcement of the delivery of Patriot missile systems to the NATO member country.
In a news conference, alongside Polish President Andrzej Duda, Harris pointed out "the issue of the importance of defending sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Ukraine, which challenges the "guiding principles around the NATO alliance.
Harris noted that the US "is prepared to defend every inch" of territory under NATO." The United States takes seriously that an attack against one is an attack against all," the Vice President said, as reported by CNN.
An Important Sign
Harris mentioned that her presence in Warsaw is an "expression" of the United States' commitment to its "enduring and important" relationship with Poland.
It also indicates the two countries' "solidarity to support" the security and humanitarian needs of Ukraine, battered by Russian attacks. She noted that the US was granting Poland's request for Patriot missiles.
In a statement released Tuesday night, a spokesman for US European Command stated the US was delivering two new Patriot missile batteries to Poland as defensive weaponry to counter any potential danger to US and NATO partners in the wake of Russia's continued assault on Ukraine.
Patriots are air defense missile systems developed to intercept and destroy short-range ballistic missiles, sophisticated aircraft, and cruise missiles as they approach.
Transfering of Fighter Jets is a High-Risk Move
Vice Pres. Harris' trip to Poland also allowed her to negotiate with Polish officials on the recent trouble of the transferring of fighter planes to Ukraine, as per the BBC.
On Tuesday, US officials immediately rejected as "not tenable" Poland's offer to hand over MiG-29 fighter jets to America as an initial step toward transferring the equipment to Ukraine. US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said such a move poses a "high risk" of escalating tensions and military retort from Russia.
The Polish proposal was also dismissed by a German government official, who described it as "not currently on the table."Officials from the United States have frequently stated that the decision on fighters is entirely up to the Polish government.
There's no hint that Harris' trip was intended to settle the issue. Instead, according to administration officials and supporters, her purpose is to bring the vital request to the President's attention and reiterate Washington's commitment to supporting Ukraine and other countries at being harmed by the Russian invasion.
Officials and allies in the White House say Harris' trip to Europe demonstrates President Joe Biden's confidence in her at this time, even in areas like national security, as per Politico.
According to Olga Oliker, program director of the International Crisis Group, the visit of VP Harris sends a "signal of reassurance and unity on the part of the United States" to NATO allies in Eastern Europe.
Harris is also scheduled to meet with the leaders of Poland and Romania and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is on a diplomatic mission in Poland. Then she will visit American troops and the thousands of Ukrainian refugees that moved to Poland.
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