Polish Defence Minister condemns 'Russian invasion of Ukraine'

“We are seeing aggression by one state against another, as well as an occupation. Crimea is occupied, part of Donbass is also occupied,” Macierewicz told TVP Info.

Macierewicz also commented on the state of security of Poland, and the possibility of an invasion by the Kremlin on Baltic countries.

According to some military analysts quoted by Russian media, in the case of an attack, Russia would be able to occupy Baltic countries within 60 hours.

Macierewicz stressed that the possible scenarios are dependent on the size of the Russian forces involved.

Achilles heel

He described the Suwałki Gap, a sliver of border with Lithuania wedged between Russian ally Belarus and the Russian Kaliningrad oblast, as the Achilles heel of Polish defence.

“[The Baltic countries’] ability to slow down the violence so as to allow NATO forces supported by the United States and other countries to reach the area would be sufficient, as long as we can keep the Suwałki Gap.

“It is our greatest strength as well as our weakness,” Macierewicz said (rg)