This month's news highlights

Newsmark

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed strategies to ensure Russia’s defeat in Ukraine during their September meeting in Warsaw. They discussed key aspects of Polish-American relations, including security and defense strategies, and energy cooperation. The U.S. embassy affirmed Washington’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Warsaw in defense and its readiness to collaborate on projects that enhance energy security, drive economic growth, and “strengthen the enduring bond between our nations.”

Blinken met with Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and President Andrzej Duda to discuss bilateral defense, security, and energy ties as well as joint support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Poland remains a proponent of increasing pressure on the Russian regime to compel it to end the war against Ukraine.

SW Poland experienced devastating floods due to torrential rains, particularly in the voivodeships of Dolnośląskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, and Małopolskie. Thousands of victims were evacuated, and schools provided makeshift housing. PM Tusk declared a state of natural disaster and pledged $250 million in flood relief. EU assistance is also expected, with German chief Ursula Von der Leyen visiting Poland to discuss arrangements.

Six Warsaw University students and their lecturer have returned to Poland after being detained in Nigeria during anti-government protests. Poland’s diplomatic intervention helped facilitate their release. The students were welcomed home by family and friends at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport. Polish authorities claimed they were in Nigeria for an academic exchange.

Poland has developed a compact drone called the X-Frontier, which is designed for infantry soldiers and offers strike ability due to its small size. It was developed by Poland’s WB Electronics, known for its innovations in digital reconnaissance, command systems, communication, cybersecurity, and systems integration.

Boeing formally offered the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter to Poland to support the country’s heavy transport needs. The announcement was made during the annual MSPO International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland, Sept. 3-6. This year, the event celebrated the 25th anniversary of Poland’s NATO membership. The Chinook has a long history of successful outcomes in both humanitarian and military operations.

Poland’s government has reported security services have broken up a group of saboteurs working on behalf of Russia and Belarus who were targeting Polish institutions. In the first half of this year, more cyberattack incidents were reported in Poland than in the whole of 2023. Digital affairs minister Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that the Belarusian and Russian security services had a specific goal: to extort information, blackmail individuals and institutions, and wage de facto cyberwar.

Poland plans to install 6-9 GW of nuclear power in six units by 2042 to decarbonize its energy sector, which is heavily reliant on coal. The first reactor is expected to be built in 2035, followed by a second in 2036 and a third in 2037. The Choczewo nuclear power plant is expected to have a target electrical output of up to 3750 MW. Poland chose U.S. firm Westinghouse as its international partner for the project in 2022. Plans for a second nuclear power station are being developed with South Korea.

Polish school children’s physical fitness has significantly declined compared to 15-20 years ago, according to Sports Minister Sławomir Nitras. The government plans to revamp the physical-education curriculum to address this issue. Problems include children staying home after school with junk snacks and smartphones rather than going out for play.