Some NATO commands should be moved to east - former Polish Defense Minister

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NATO's current governance structure is outdated and does not take into account current realities. The Alliance's individual commands need to be moved eastward, with military personnel from the Alliance's eastern flank playing a leading role. 

This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by former Minister of National Defense of Poland Janusz Onyszkiewicz.

According to the expert, in Washington, the main topic of discussion, in addition to assistance to Ukraine, should be the strengthening of NATO forces on the eastern flank, as well as changing the Alliance's management structure, in particular the transfer of individual commands to other places.

"That is, we are talking about a departure from the organizational structure of NATO, which was approved when the organization was not threatened by war. At that time, the main missions of the Alliance were expeditionary, it carried out stabilization operations or crisis response operations, so there was no confrontation in the presence of a great classical war," Onyszkiewicz explained. 

Read also: NATO countries to provide Ukraine with additional Patriots, dozens of other air defense systems

He stressed that NATO's current governance structure does not take into account the new realities.

"Now separate commands need to be moved to the east and the rank of representation of the military from the countries of the eastern flank of the Alliance in these structures should be increased," said the former Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland.

As earlier reported, NATO member states will announce their intentions to provide Ukraine with funding in the amount of EUR 40 billion over the next year at the Alliance's summit in Washington, which takes place from July 9 to 11.