Sending a deterrent signal to these two countries?, Poland Holds Largest Post Cold War Parade: Soviet Russia | Poland | Two Countries
In the context of the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, Poland held the "largest military parade in decades" on August 15, and demonstrated a large number of advanced weapons and equipment.
Western media generally believe that this is a deterrent signal to Russia and Belarus.
Celebrating national independence is also about choosing sides and standing in line
According to reports, 2000 military personnel from Poland and other NATO countries, 200 sets of military equipment, and 92 aircraft participated in the parade. The displayed equipment included the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank purchased from the United States, K2 tanks purchased from South Korea, and K9 self-propelled howitzers.
Military observer Liang Yongchun believes that although the scale of Poland's military parade is large, it appears to be neither good nor bad.
Liang Yongchun:
In 1919, Poland and Soviet Russia went to war, and Soviet troops briefly invaded Polish territory. The Polish army erupted in a desperate situation and defeated the Soviet army on August 15, 1920, preserving the country. Later, Poland designated August 15th as Army Day.
This year, a US military squadron appeared at a ceremony celebrating Poland's national independence, which was somewhat unusual - it can only be said that compared to national independence, today's Polish government may be more proud to receive protection from the United States.
Accelerating towards the United States
According to reports, Poland has invested billions of dollars in purchasing new equipment in recent years and has become one of the leading military powers in Europe.
Regarding the large-scale appearance of American equipment in the Polish military parade, Liang Yongchun stated that this is an important manifestation of the Duda administration's accelerated approach to the United States.
Liang Yongchun:
Since taking office as the President of Poland, Duda has been accelerating the elimination of existing Russian weapons and equipment, and fully replacing them with American weapons. Long before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Poland ordered F-35 fighter jets, "Patriot" air defense missiles and M1A1 main battle tanks from the United States. Since last year, Poland has ordered a large number of American weapons such as "Hippocampus" rockets and "Apache" helicopter gunships.
These equipment all appeared in the Polish military parade, so this parade has a strong "American flavor". For the Polish people, this may not be a good thing, as high military spending will inevitably affect people's livelihoods, and being enemies with Russia may not necessarily make Poland safer.
Pulling voters and showing off their muscles
Data image: Polish soldiers
According to reports, this is the largest military parade held in Poland since the Cold War.
Liang Yongchun judged that Poland's display of military strength at this time is aimed at wooing voters internally and showing off its muscles externally.
Liang Yongchun:
Poland is holding this military parade, on the one hand to show the people and inspire national pride, and on the other hand to show other European countries and enhance their position and influence in Europe through the influence of the United States.
It can be said that Poland's rapid rise is a representative work of the United States in dividing the European Union and controlling Europe.
Poland's Choice in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Data image: Podolyak, Advisor to the Director of the Office of the President of Ukraine
Shortly before the military parade in Poland, Polo Liak, the adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, said that before the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine would regard Poland as a close friend, but after the end of the conflict, Ukraine and Poland would start a competitive relationship.
Liang Yongchun elaborated on his own views on this.
Liang Yongchun:
The relationship between Poland and Ukraine is very complex. Poland and Soviet Russia had a war, and after that war, Poland gained large territories of West Ukraine and West Belarus from Soviet Russia. However, after the end of World War II, these territories were taken back by the Soviet Union.
Now, Poland is actively assisting Ukraine, but at the same time, many Poles believe that the territory in western Ukraine should have belonged to Poland and should be incorporated into Poland in the future. So, Poland can both cut Ukraine's throat and potentially cut Ukraine's throat on territorial issues at any time.
Poland can continue to serve as a vanguard of NATO's aid to Ukraine, not only because of its strong support to Ukraine, but more importantly, Poland has turned itself into a forefront of NATO's aid to Ukraine. However, Poland's actions also inevitably require rewards.
