On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, a press conference was held at the Presidential Palace with the participation of the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, and the President of the National Bank of Poland, Prof. Adam Glapiński, concerning a proposed alternative to the EU instrument SAFE (Security Action for Europe) called “Polish SAFE 0%.”
Photo: Przemysław Keler, KPRP
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President of Poland Karol Nawrocki emphasized that the current international situation makes the effort to strengthen Poland’s armaments, develop the Polish Armed Forces, and reinforce the national defense industry one of the key priorities of the President’s activities. “I firmly believe that security means stability, and the lack of stability means the lack of security.”
He added that a public debate is currently taking place regarding the SAFE mechanism. “In my view, this debate has become overly emotional, which does not serve the situation in Poland or the ability to make a good decision. I will make my decision taking into account all arguments, and it will be the best decision for Poland.”
He noted that, for the President of Poland, the national community and the Republic represent a community of all generations of Poles – including those who did not take part in the most recent elections but will be responsible for repaying the loan taken under the SAFE mechanism. According to him, that loan would be repaid by those who are currently 10, 11, 12, or 13 years old. Therefore, it is necessary to consider both the concrete constitutional concerns regarding SAFE and the fact that the mechanism may conflict with Article 4 of the Treaty on European Union, under which security remains the responsibility of member states rather than the European Union itself.
He also stated that the war in Iran and the U.S. military operation demonstrate the effectiveness of American military equipment. For a decade, Poland has been building its security partly on contracts outside the EU – with South Korea and the United States – and therefore Poland’s national security strategy up to 2039 must take into account access to the most effective systems, including the multidomain capabilities of U.S. equipment.
He pointed out that although the SAFE program does not explicitly exclude such procurement, it could nevertheless limit the compatibility of Poland’s armed forces development over the past decade and reduce its effectiveness in the coming years.
According to him, potential democratic changes across Europe should also be considered when deciding on SAFE. By 2070, governments could be elected that might adopt a different approach toward the Russian Federation. As a frontline state, Poland cannot afford instability. Therefore, the conditionality provisions included in SAFE pose a risk to the stability and development of the Polish Armed Forces.
Polish SAFE 0 %.
Therefore, the President announced an alternative to the SAFE program approved by the government of Donald Tusk in agreement with the European Commission (The Polish Government Reveals How It Will Spend €43.7 Billion from SAFE. Domestic Industry Will Be the Primary Focus).
“We met today with the President of the National Bank of Poland to find a beneficial, sovereign, secure, and effective alternative to SAFE. After weeks of meetings between experts at the Chancellery of the President, as well as efforts by the President of the NBP, Adam Glapiński, we held discussions on the concept of Polish SAFE 0%. Thanks to the work of the NBP president and the entire management board, Poles have earned significantly more over the past 30 months than the 185 billion PLN needed to finance Poland’s security over the next five years. We have a concrete, Polish, safe alternative to SAFE that will not involve any financial interest. Today we met to finalize the details of this project, which will guarantee 185 billion PLN without the need for borrowing until 2070, without dependence on potential changes within the EU, and with the flexibility needed by the Polish Armed Forces to choose equipment either from the EU or from other regions of the world,” said Karol Nawrocki.
He added that implementing the Polish SAFE 0% program would require the agreement of the President of Poland, the President of the National Bank of Poland, and the involvement of the Polish government. “If necessary, the Chancellery of the President will introduce a legislative initiative to facilitate the process – which, I hope, given that security unites us all, will be adopted through a consensus of all political groups in the Polish parliament,” he noted.
The President also announced that he would send invitations later that day to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz for talks on the Polish SAFE 0% program.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also stated that defense procurement should focus on military equipment that is most needed by the Polish Armed Forces.
#NaŻywo | Pałac Prezydencki. Wypowiedź Prezydenta RP dla mediów. https://t.co/OdY9INbFgD
— Kancelaria Prezydenta RP (@prezydentpl) March 4, 2026
The head of the Ministry of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, commented immediately on the press conference:
“The SAFE program provides the fastest and most concrete funding for the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces. That is why military personnel, the defense industry, and everyone committed to strengthening the capabilities of our army are appealing for and counting on the President’s signature on the relevant legislation. If additional financing instruments for the armed forces emerge, the Polish Armed Forces will only benefit from it, not as an alternative to SAFE, but as additional resources strengthening our security.”
Program SAFE daje najszybsze i konkretne środki na modernizację polskiej armii dlatego wojskowi, przemysł zbrojeniowy oraz wszyscy, którym na sercu leży wzmocnienie siły naszej armii apelują i liczą na podpis pod ustawą przez @prezydentpl.
Jeśli jednak pojawią się kolejne…
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) March 4, 2026