East Front News #42: Sikorski's Address; Trump Plan; Flag Officers Nominations; Production of Tanks

Flag Officers Nominations

The President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, will confer 14 general officer appointments on the Flag Day of the Republic of Poland, Defence24.pl has learned. Nine officers will be promoted to their first general’s rank, and five will receive an additionalstar.

According to Defence24.pl’s unofficial information, President Andrzej Duda will appoint 14 officers to general officer ranks on Flag Day of the Republic of Poland, May 2. After the publication of Defence24.pl original story, the National Security Bureau has confirmed that those officers will be promoted.

Officers to receive the rank of Lieutenant General will include:

• Lt. Gen. (Div. Gen.) Karol Dymanowski, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces-
• Lt. Gen. (Div. Gen.) Piotr Malinowski, Deputy Commander of NATO's Joint Support Command JSEC
• Lt. Gen. (Div. Gen.) Sławomir Owczarek, First Deputy Commander of the General Command of the Armed Forces

Production of Tanks Returns to Bumar. Marcin Idzik: Selection of Partner for Ammunition Production in Its Final Stages (INTERVIEW)

„Today, Jelcz actually has a very large number of contracts, yet the plant has not undergone the necessary investments, nor has it been modernized and expanded to a sufficient degree. Consequently, production must be distributed,” emphasizes Marcin Idzik, Member of the Management Board of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, in conversation with Defence24.pl.

In this interview we also discuss the search for a partner for ammunition production, plans for tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, unmanned systems programs and PGZ’s export activities.

Ending the Ukraine-Russia War and the "Trump Plan"

Media reports have begun to appear, including from The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and Axios, suggesting that anonymous diplomats in conversations with journalists presented alleged peaceful proposals from Washington for Kiev and Moscow. They were also supposed to be discussed during the meeting of Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Keith Kellogg with representatives of France, Great Britain, and Germany in Paris on April 17. 

According to the leaks, the „Trump plan” is to assume de jure recognition of Russian control over Crimea, de facto recognition of Russia’s occupation of four Ukrainian regions, a declaration that Ukraine will not join NATO structures, the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation since 2014, and economic cooperation between Russia and the United States. In return, Ukraine would receive vague security guarantees from European countries, compensation and reconstruction assistance, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (in part), freedom of navigation on the Dnieper, and the return of part of the occupied Kharkiv Oblast. 

There is therefore a clear conflict of interests between the three parties to the negotiations. The United States wants to resolve the Ukrainian-Russian war as soon as possible and put pressure on the parties to shift their focus to the Southeast Asian region to a greater extent. Ukraine does not accept Russian annexations de jure and the need to abandon its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Alliance. Russia, on the other hand, wants to delay the negotiation process in order to further limit Ukraine’s potential gains by improving its own situation on the fronts.

Foreign Minister Sikorski's Address

On April 23, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski presented to the parliament the key directions of Poland’s foreign policy for the year 2025. At the outset, the head of Polish diplomacy emphasized that the current international situation is the most challenging in years. However, he underlined that Poland is stronger, thanks in part to its membership in NATO and the European Union. Minister Sikorski identified four global trends that are undesirable from the perspective of Poland’s national interest: the division of the world into spheres of influence, the erosion of respect for sovereignty in favour of brute force, the decline of international institutions, disinformation.  

He then outlined Poland’s key diplomatic priorities: strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities, maintaining a strong U.S. presence on the continent, particularly in Poland„ Increasing Warsaw’s engagement with the Global South. He also stressed that supporting the EU’s ambitions in the defence industry is in Poland’s national interest. Sikorski referred to the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating that Poland must continue to support Kyiv in its struggle, including through training programs, aid packages, military cooperation, and knowledge-sharing. However, he clearly stated that Polish soldiers would not take part in any mission in Ukraine but that Warsaw would actively support all logistical efforts.  

The minister firmly asserted that Poland must approach Russia’s neo-imperial policy with the utmost caution, ensuring that the Kremlin is never again able to impose its will on any NATO eastern flank country. He stated that Poland must apply a policy toward Moscow that it understands—peace through strength. Sikorski expressed support for EU sanctions on Russia, noting they are effective, as lifting them is one of the Kremlin’s demands in peace negotiations. Turning to the issue of illegal migration, the minister said that Poland would tighten border controls, adopt a stricter visa policy, and deport individuals who break the law. He added that Poland should advocate within the EU for stronger support for the „Eastern Shield” initiative. Regarding relations with the People’s Republic of China, Sikorski acknowledged China’s civilizational leap and expressed a desire to maintain good relations with Beijing.  

At the same time, he said he would like to see China act as an advocate for peace by ceasing its political and economic support for Russia. „Poland alone is a weakened Poland”—with these words, Sikorski highlighted the importance of Poland’s relationship with the European Union. In his view, Europe must act as a united and heavyweight player on the global stage. He urged Europeans to believe in their own potential. According to Sikorski, the EU should deepen its transatlantic cooperation with the United States, describing it as a „marriage of convenience.” He emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation through initiatives like the „Big Five” and the Weimar Triangle. He also spoke about partnerships with European allies. He noted that Warsaw would soon sign a new treaty with Paris.  

Despite unresolved historical issues between Poland and Germany, he said the security architecture of the region depends on both countries. Sikorski discussed ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom on a new defence treaty. He also pointed to the need for deeper cooperation with Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states to enhance Baltic Sea security. Additionally, he stated that strengthening relations with Turkey is also in Poland’s interest. Regarding Belarus, Sikorski declared that Poland must never give up its efforts to support the country’s freedom. He then turned to the Global South and the post-colonial world, saying that Warsaw should listen to these partners with respect and work to deepen cooperation. He noted that Poland should develop stronger ties with India, one of its key partners in Asia.  

The minister next addressed the role of the United Nations and Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his view, the UN in its current form is outdated and dysfunctional and must be reformed—especially the Security Council, which should reflect current global realities and the power of individual countries and organizations. Lastly, Sikorski said that rebuilding Polish diplomacy should be a priority for the Foreign Ministry, adding that Poland is eager to open new diplomatic missions. He concluded by stating that Poland’s security and foreign policy should meet the consensus among the parties.

Europe needs more of a Nordic-Baltic-Poland-leadership

The world as we know it is slipping through our fingers. It is a fact that cannot be compartmentalized away. Global developments between the dominant superpowers are accelerating and need to be addressed by Europe – with full force and across policy areas, political blocs, and national borders.

In Europe and the free West, we must simultaneously manage extremely serious forces and threats that are driving multiple destructive developments at the same time. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine,
2. a culminating „Axis" (in various guises) through expanding and intensifying hybrid warfare, driven primarily by Russia and to varying degrees China and Iran;
3. a United States that allows itself to be governed by an  governed by a mercurial administration whose dangerous handling of Russia increases the risks for Europe, and makes territorial claims (albeit still mainly rhetorical) claims to Canada, Greenland, and others.

Defence24 Days – Conference on May 6–7 in Warsaw

The Defence24 Days 2025, Central Europe’s largest and most influential defence and security conference, will take place on May 6th-7th, 2025, at the renowned National Stadium (PGE Narodowy) in Warsaw, Poland. Held under the prestigious patronage of the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Presidency of the European Union, this event promises to bring together high-level politicians, top military officials, industry leaders, and international delegations to tackle the most pressing defence challenges of our time. 

The conference will be inaugurated by the Polish Minister of Defence alongside other senior officials, establishing the framework for high-level discussions and strategic dialogues. Over 50 international delegations and hundreds of companies from the defence and security sectors are expected to attend, ensuring the event maintains its status as a hub for global perspectives and collaboration. With Poland assuming the EU Presidency and hosting the Three Seas Summit in 2025, the conference takes place during a year of significant geopolitical importance for Poland and the wider region. 

The 2024 edition of Defence24 Days set a high benchmark, featuring 70 discussion panels, 400 Distinguished Speakers, and attracting more than 3,500 participants from 50 countries. Past editions have welcomed Prime Ministers, Ministers of Defence, and Senior Military Officials, solidifying the event’s reputation as the most important military and security gathering in Central Europe. The upcoming 2025 conference aims to surpass these achievements, further strengthening its influence on defence, military, and security policy. 

The timing of the conference is particularly significant as it will be held just days before presidential elections in Poland, a critical period for decisions on military spending and defence priorities. With Poland at the helm of the European Union, Defence24 Days will serve as a strategic platform to address regional and global defence challenges, foster cross-border collaboration, and explore technological advancements in the defence sector. 

Main Foreign Guests of the 2025 Edition: 

• Ivan Anušić, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia 
• Dovilė Šakalienė, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania 
• Lieutenant General Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces 
• Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas, Chief of the Defence Staff of Lithuania 
• Lieutenant General Dragoș Iacob, Deputy Chief of Defence, Romania 
• Rear Admiral Gianfranco Annunziata, Italian Defence General Staff 
• Major General Ollie Kingsbury, Commanding General, V Corps (U.S. Army) 
• Mark Francois MP, Member of UK Parliament, Shadow Minister for Defence 
• Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Undersecretary of State for Defence, Italy 
• Barrows Nassima, Deputy Director of Nuclear Policy at NATO 
• Gildas Precheur, Deputy Director and Chief of Staff, NATO ENSEC COE 
• Lt.Colonel Damjan Strucl, NATO CCD COE 
• Brigadier General Artūras Radvilas, Lithuanian Land Forces Commander 
• Brigadier General Andrew D. Cecil, Deputy Commanding General – Manpower & Reserve Affairs, U.S. Army Europe & Africa 
• Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia 
• Andrew A. Michta, Director, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative, Atlantic Council 
• James Jay Carafano, Vice President, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, The Heritage Foundation 

Main Polish Guests:

• Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland
• Krzysztof Gawkowski – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Affairs
• Gen. Wiesław Kukuła – Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces
• Maj. Gen. Maciej Klisz – Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces
• Maj. Gen. Karol Molenda – Commander of the Cyberspace Defence Forces

as well as numerous other High-Level Officials and General Officers from the Polish Military, Government and Defence Industry Executives.

Join us at the National Stadium in Warsaw on May 6th-7th, 2025, for two days of unparalleled insights, collaboration, and networking opportunities. For registration, more information and updates, visit www.Defence24Days.com.

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East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.

Aleksander Olech, PhD & Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief, Michał Górski