Mon Sep 16 16:10:39 UTC 2024: ## Poland Urges West to Stand Firm Against Russia, Proposes New Support for Ukraine
**Kyiv, Ukraine** – Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has urged Western countries to remain resolute in their support for Ukraine despite Russian threats of retaliation. He dismissed Moscow’s warnings about using nuclear weapons as “hollow” and expressed confidence that Russia would not dare to start a war with NATO.
Sikorski also proposed a new way to support Ukraine’s mobilization efforts: ending benefits payments to Ukrainian men of draft age in European countries. He argued that it is not a “human right” to be paid to avoid defending one’s country and pointed out that Poland, while allowing draft-age Ukrainians to live and work within its borders, does not provide them with benefits.
Ukraine is pushing for the use of Western-supplied missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory, targeting airfields and other facilities involved in bombing Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. While several countries support this move, US approval is considered crucial. Washington has so far opposed deeper strikes due to fears of escalating the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia has announced a significant increase in its military personnel, adding 180,000 soldiers to its active ranks, bringing the total to 1.5 million. The Kremlin has also been utilizing drones and missiles provided by allies Iran and North Korea to attack Ukrainian targets.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha voiced support for Sikorski’s proposal to end benefits for Ukrainian men of draft age in Europe, stating that it is “time to develop programs to return Ukrainians home.” This development comes as over 4.1 million Ukrainians have sought temporary protection in the EU, including a significant number of men subject to Ukraine’s mobilization law.
First Piper 