Poland’s Leader Calls for a Tough, Self‑Defending Peace Mission in Ukraine
During a press briefing in Kyiv on March 15, Jarosław Kaczyński, the head of Poland’s ruling party, floated the idea of sending an international peace‑keeping mission to Ukraine. The proposal came amid a high‑profile visit by the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia, all of whom were keen to show their backing for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What the Polish Leader Envisioned
- “We need a peace mission,” Kaczyński insisted. “Something Naton‑backed, or even a broader international force…”
- It would be defensible—equipped to stand its ground on Ukrainian soil.
- “Think of it as a combination of peace‑keeping and humanitarian aid, backed by the right kind of armed forces,” he added.
The Grand Tour of Kyiv
Along with Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki and Czech PM Petr Fiala, Slovenian PM Janez Janša arrived by train to the war‑torn capital. They were the first foreign heads of government to visit Kyiv since Russia’s invasion last month.
Key Highlights
- Reuters reports that Russian air strikes and shelling on Tuesday killed at least five civilians.
- The city’s mayor imposed a 35‑hour curfew as the conflict intensified.
- Zelenskyy stressed that “many ambassadors have fled Kyiv, but these leaders are not afraid of anything; they’re scared of what might happen to us.” He thanked the visiting heads for their unwavering support.
Echoes from the EU
Poland and the Czech Republic have been among Europe’s most vocal supporters of Ukraine. They’re both former communist states now aligned with the EU and Naton. During a previous EU leaders’ summit in Versailles, the idea of this high‑profile Kyiv visit was floated. Yet, a Brussels official clarified that no formal mandate had been handed out.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to label its aggression a “special military operation” aimed at “denazifying” Ukraine—a claim that Kyiv and its Western allies firmly reject as a pretext for an illegal invasion.
Why This Matters
Ukraine’s hope for a self‑defending peace force is a signal that the conflict is far from over. With the international community’s hands on deck, there could be a chance for a ceasefire that protects civilians while maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
