Navrocki: We must not lock our security in a safe whose keys are in other European capitals

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, at the start of the large annual military parade on Army Day in Warsaw, said that, like 106 years ago, the threat to Poland comes from the same side, from Russia, but that today Poland must win battles and not wage war, which it can only do if no one else but itself holds the keys to Poland's security.

"For 106 years, the threats to Poland have not changed. The threat comes from the same side, from neo-imperial Russia. That is why we must, because we are responsible for Europe, NATO and the Polish soldier, do everything to make the Warsaw Battle of the 21st century a victory - but without war," said Navrocki.

Recalling the so-called "Miracle near Warsaw", as the battle held 106 years ago in the Polish-Russian War is called, when the Polish army victoriously stopped the Red Army's advance to the west, Navrocki said that today all the keys to security must be in Warsaw.

"We must not lock our security in a safe whose keys are in other European capitals, even friendly, allied ones," said Navrocki.

The Polish president warned that all the weapons and military equipment that are passing by on the boulevards on the banks of the Vistula River today in front of the masses of Warsaw residents are weapons purchased thanks to the money of Poles, taxpayers, and not thanks to the new European SAFE soft loan fund, which was initiated by Poland and which received almost 44 billion euros for the modernization of the army and specialized industry.

"For centuries, the banners of the Polish Army have read God, Honor and Fatherland, not SAFE," said Nawrocki, alluding to the main slogan of this year's parade, "Poland SAFE - Safe Poland."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Vladislav Košnjak-Kamiš followed up on this and answered his own question as to why, on the 106th anniversary of the "miracles near Warsaw", the main slogan of the parade is Poland SAFE, a program where Navrocki tried unsuccessfully to prevent Poland's participation, even though it was initiated by Poland in the EU, by vetoing the law on the use of these funds.

"Why is that English word on the parade? I'll answer in Polish. S for alliances, A for army, F for factories, E for Europe". Four letters, four concepts. They are not for sale, nor can they be replaced with anything," said Košnjak-Kamiš.

The Minister of Defense reminded the President that Poland is today's Europe.

"Poland today is charting the course for Europe. Today we are writing a security strategy for both us and Europe because we are leaders in combating illegal migration, our eastern border is the least permeable in Europe, because Poland is a leader in armaments," said Kośnjak-Kamiś.

This year's military parade showcases in full glory the modernized Polish army, which, according to Kośniak-Kamiś, already has 220.000 soldiers, including the territorial defense, and the goal with active reservists is half a million Poles under arms.

It began with the landing of nine paratroopers carrying the flags of Poland, NATO, the European Union, and five branches of the armed forces.

Nearly 2.000 soldiers are marching along the Vistula boulevard, and 300 combat vehicles of various types are passing by, such as American Abrams tanks, Korean K2 and German Leopard, Borsuk combat vehicles, HIMARS launchers and the American Patriot anti-missile system.

60 aircraft flew over the Vistula River during the parade, ranging from recently acquired American F-35 fighter jets, Ah-64 Apache attack helicopters, to other planes and helicopters.

This year, the Polish Army is also showcasing its drones, and with them, as a curiosity, the Norwegian-made Hugin unmanned underwater vehicle intended for detecting underwater mines.

There are no Ukrainians among the allied soldiers also participating in the parade, and the Polish authorities have explained that the reason should not be sought in the deterioration of Polish-Ukrainian relations in recent months, but rather in the simple fact that it is unreasonable to withdraw some much-needed units from the front just so that Ukrainian soldiers can parade in Warsaw.

Due to the extreme heat this year, the army took special care of its military horses and dogs.

While the cavalry appeared in the parade, but with special measures for the animals, the army refused to allow military dogs to walk on the hot asphalt in the heat, which, like horses, always attract a lot of attention from the audience at parades.