Speaking at a military ceremony on Thursday, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz dismissed rumors that Poland would cut defense spending, saying that instead the government had decided to increase it.

He said: “The budget for defense, for our security next year will be even higher than the record budget of 2024. It will be a record of records.

“Against the rumors that wish otherwise, our government has decided to increase defense spending. The defense budget next year will be a record one.”

Adding that defense spending in 2024 was approximately 169 billion złoty ( €39 bln), he said: “Next year it will be even more, we estimate that it will be about 10% more.

“This is incomparable to what was in previous years.”

The defense minister went on to say that Europe needed to strengthen its defense industry in the face of Russian aggression.

He said: “Europe must rebuild its industrial capabilities. The arms industry for Europe, for the European Union, must be in first place.