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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘Russia is not invincible': Polish president recalls past victories, says Moscow ‘floundering' in Ukraine
Russian forces have floundered in Ukraine and history shows Russia's army can be beaten in combat, Poland's president told a military parade on Friday marking the 105th anniversary of a victory over the Red Army by Polish defenders. Russian forces have struggled in Ukraine, and history proves the Russian army can be defeated in battle, Poland's president said on Friday at a military parade marking the 105th anniversary of a Polish victory over the Red Army. Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a political ally of Donald Trump's MAGA movement, made the remarks as global attention turned to Alaska, where the US president is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The event commemorated the Battle of Warsaw, in which Polish forces repelled the Red Army in 1920, halting the Soviet push into western Europe. 'Russia is not invincible,' Nawrocki said in a speech before the parade. 'It lost to Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, it was defeated by the Poles in 1920, and today, for over three years… it has been floundering after its attack on Ukraine thanks to the support of allies and the solidarity of free nations, including, and at times especially, Poland.' Already tense relations between Warsaw and Moscow have hit new lows since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO member Poland says its own role as a hub for aid for Kyiv has made it a target of Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. Nawrocki joined a Ukraine teleconference with Europe an leaders and Trump on Wednesday that discussed the U.S. president's forthcoming summit with Putin. Warsaw, NATO's leading spender on defence as a percentage of GDP, has ramped up its military spending since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It plans to spend 5% of GDP on defence in 2026 to repel what it says is a renewed threat from the east. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Around 50 military aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, flew overhead as 4,000 Polish soldiers accompanied by around 200 troops from NATO allies marched alongside the Vistula river beside Leopard, K2 and Abrams tanks, Borsuk and Rosomak armoured vehicles as well as Patriot and HIMARS artillery systems. A naval parade featuring around 20 vessels also took place in the Baltic sea. With inputs from agencies
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Polish president shows off military hardware, sees Russia 'floundering' in Ukraine
Polish President Karol Nawrocki speaks during the military parade on the Polish Armed Forces Day, commemorating Poland's victory over the Soviet Union's Red Army in 1920, in Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2025. Robert Kowalewski/Agencja via REUTERS WARSAW (Reuters) -Russian forces have floundered in Ukraine and history shows Russia's army can be beaten in combat, Poland's president told a military parade on Friday marking the 105th anniversary of a victory over the Red Army by Polish defenders. Polish President Karol Nawrocki, an ally of Donald Trump's MAGA movement, spoke as the eyes of the world were focused on Alaska, where the U.S. president will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for talks on the war in Ukraine. The parade marked the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw during which Poland defeated the invading Red Army and prevented Soviet forces pushing towards western Europe. "Russia is not invincible," Nawrocki said in a speech before the parade. "It lost to Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, it was defeated by the Poles in 1920, and today, for over three years... it has been floundering after its attack on Ukraine thanks to the support of allies and the solidarity of free nations, including, and at times especially, Poland." Already tense relations between Warsaw and Moscow have hit new lows since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO member Poland says its own role as a hub for aid for Kyiv has made it a target of Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. Nawrocki joined a Ukraine teleconference with Europe an leaders and Trump on Wednesday that discussed the U.S. president's forthcoming summit with Putin. Warsaw, NATO's leading spender on defence as a percentage of GDP, has ramped up its military spending since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It plans to spend 5% of GDP on defence in 2026 to repel what it says is a renewed threat from the east. Around 50 military aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, flew overhead as 4,000 Polish soldiers accompanied by around 200 troops from NATO allies marched alongside the Vistula river beside Leopard, K2 and Abrams tanks, Borsuk and Rosomak armoured vehicles as well as Patriot and HIMARS artillery systems. A naval parade featuring around 20 vessels also took place in the Baltic sea. (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Editing by William Maclean)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Polish president shows off military hardware, sees Russia 'floundering' in Ukraine
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Polish President Karol Nawrocki speaks during the military parade on the Polish Armed Forces Day, commemorating Poland's victory over the Soviet Union's Red Army in 1920, in Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2025. Robert Kowalewski/Agencja via REUTERS WARSAW - Russian forces have floundered in Ukraine and history shows Russia's army can be beaten in combat, Poland's president told a military parade on Friday marking the 105th anniversary of a victory over the Red Army by Polish defenders. Polish President Karol Nawrocki, an ally of Donald Trump's MAGA movement, spoke as the eyes of the world were focused on Alaska, where the U.S. president will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for talks on the war in Ukraine. The parade marked the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw during which Poland defeated the invading Red Army and prevented Soviet forces pushing towards western Europe. "Russia is not invincible," Nawrocki said in a speech before the parade. "It lost to Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, it was defeated by the Poles in 1920, and today, for over three years... it has been floundering after its attack on Ukraine thanks to the support of allies and the solidarity of free nations, including, and at times especially, Poland." Already tense relations between Warsaw and Moscow have hit new lows since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO member Poland says its own role as a hub for aid for Kyiv has made it a target of Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. Nawrocki joined a Ukraine teleconference with Europe an leaders and Trump on Wednesday that discussed the U.S. president's forthcoming summit with Putin. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Asia Sun Haiyan, ex-China ambassador to S'pore, detained for questioning: Sources Singapore Love that saves lives: Seniors in Singapore overcome challenges to donate organs Singapore Over 600 orchids on display at Gardens by the Bay to mark 60 years of Singapore-Malaysia ties Singapore Father of 4 among S'poreans arrested in CNB raids; drugs worth over $128k seized Warsaw, NATO's leading spender on defence as a percentage of GDP, has ramped up its military spending since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It plans to spend 5% of GDP on defence in 2026 to repel what it says is a renewed threat from the east. Around 50 military aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, flew overhead as 4,000 Polish soldiers accompanied by around 200 troops from NATO allies marched alongside the Vistula river beside Leopard, K2 and Abrams tanks, Borsuk and Rosomak armoured vehicles as well as Patriot and HIMARS artillery systems. A naval parade featuring around 20 vessels also took place in the Baltic sea. REUTERS
The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
No matter its outcome, the meeting in Alaska will be a success for Vladimir Putin
The significance of the meeting between Russia President Vladimir Putin and President Trump in Alaska is clear not only because of the high stakes of the talks — peace in Ukraine — but also because of its symbolic date: Aug. 15. Tomorrow marks the 105th anniversary of the historic Battle of Warsaw, when Poles halted the advance of Russian communism to the West. Trump once said that the Russians are a valiant nation, having defeated both Napoleon and Hitler. That much is true. However, the Russians have also suffered many defeats, especially in offensive wars. Moreover, between defeating Napoleon and Hitler, they lost a war with Poland at enormous cost. The Battle of Warsaw on Aug. 15, 1920 was another day of defeat for Russia that ended Bolshevik dreams of expansion westward. Vladimir Lenin wanted to spread the communist revolution to Western Europe. In the aftermath of World War I, the German, Austrian, French and British proletariat were all ripe for revolt; they just needed a little help. Thus General Mikhail Tukhachevsky's Red Army, whose political commissar was none other than Joseph Stalin, marched westward. Few believed the Polish Army could stop the Bolshevik forces, which were three times larger. But what happened was the ' Miracle on the Vistula.' Poland's head of state, Józef Piłsudski, repelled the Bolsheviks on the eastern outskirts of Warsaw, and Polish forces launched a devastating counteroffensive. The victory of the Polish army five weeks later in the Battle of the Niemen River in northeastern Poland put an end to the Bolsheviks' plans for expansion to the West. The U.S. also contributed to the victory over Russia, having granted Poland a wartime loan of $176 million. This had enabled the purchase of 200 tanks and 300 aircraft. Additionally, 30,000 volunteers from the American Polish community had trained in military camps on the Canadian border. Poland also received considerable humanitarian aid, thanks to a program led by Herbert Hoover. American volunteer pilots also took part in the war against Bolshevism by serving in the 7th Fighter Squadron, which was named after the hero of both nations, Tadeusz Kościuszko. The Squadron was the first line of defense against the might of Semyon Budyonny's 1st Cavalry Army. Three American airmen lost their lives in combat. Several were wounded, and Captain Merian Cooper was taken prisoner by the Bolsheviks, from whom he escaped and then trekked nearly 400 miles to safety. Recalling the day when Józef Piłsudski bestowed him and other U.S. pilots with Poland's highest order, the Virtuti Militari, Cooper recalled: 'We blushed with pride, feeling that we had not failed, but had served Poland, if only a little.' After returning to the United States, Cooper co-directed the film 'King Kong,' in which he himself played the pilot of the plane attacking the giant ape. In 1952 he received an Oscar for lifetime achievement. American aviators who fought against the Bolsheviks in 1920 were also commemorated by a monument erected at the military cemetery in Lviv. However, it was destroyed during the communist era, as the defeat of the Soviet Union by Poland was to be forever erased from memory. It was only after Ukraine regained its independence in 1991 that the monument was restored. The significance of the Battle of Warsaw was hailed by then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who took part in the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the battle on August 15, 2020. In Warsaw on that symbolic day, the two countries signed the Poland-United States Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which, as Pompeo emphasized, was signed on the anniversary of the event when Poland stopped the wave of communism spreading across Europe. The agreement created a legal framework for the U.S. military presence in Poland and the US V Corps Command. This Friday, therefore, Poland will celebrate the 105th anniversary of her victory over the Bolshevik army. Without, however, the participation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will no doubt accompany President Trump during talks with Putin at the U.S. military base near Anchorage. History will thus come full circle: The former adversary of the U.S. will become a partner in talks on peace in Ukraine, and Aug. 15 will fade away as a symbol of the Russian defeat in 1920, instead becoming a symbol of Russian victory — the end of the Kremlin's international isolation and Putin's return to the diplomatic center stage.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Polish army to mark 1920 military victory with large Warsaw parade
A large military parade will take place in Warsaw on Friday to commemorate Poland's victory there against the Red Army in 1920. The celebrations will be attended by nearly 4,000 Polish soldiers as well as almost 200 army representatives from allied countries including the US and the UK. The events to mark Polish Army Day will include a wreath-laying ceremony led by Poland's President Karol Nawrocki and his wife Marta. For the first time, a naval parade in the Baltic Sea will also be held, with 20 ships as well as hydrographic and rescue vessels appearing in the waters around Hel. Great show of force in Warsaw and on the Baltic The main highlight of the celebrations, however, will be the military parade on Warsaw's Wisłostrada, which will begin at midday. "We will be showing the most modern equipment at the disposal of the Polish Armed Forces," spokesperson for the General Staff of the Polish Army Colonel Joanna Klejszmit told Euronews. Tanks as well as lighter vehicles will be used in the procession, she added. F-16 aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters will also be on display, as will Himars rocket launchers, according to Poland's defence ministry. The airshow will feature the Australian Army's E-7A Wedgetail early-warning aircraft. "We will be joined for the first time ever by soldiers from Australia. They are stationed in Poland with their early reconnaissance aircraft, so there will really be something to see," said Colonel Klejszmit. During the dress rehearsal, Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasised the special role of France, recalling that the support of French commanders was crucial to the Polish victory at the Battle of Warsaw. "This is special, because the Battle of Warsaw also with the participation of French troops, the support of French generals, commanders, could have been victorious, so we will thank our allies as well," Kosiniak-Kamysz explained. The two events — the parade and the naval parade — will start at the same time and will be broadcast live. In an interview with Euronews, Lieutenant Colonel Michał Tomczyk said interest in the military is growing year on year, especially given the current security concerns in Europe over Russia's all-out war in Ukraine. He noted that 15 August is the time when many people express their desire to join the army. "In fact, every garrison in Poland organises its Polish Army Day. There, there will be an opportunity to talk to military personnel and ask about recruitment or particular training courses," he said. On Saturday, the celebrations will continue with the ceremonial opening of the Museum of the Battle of Warsaw 1920 in Ossów. Poland currently spends over 4% of its GDP on defence and, with 216,100 military personnel, has the third largest army in NATO.
