Durbin, Shaheen Meet With Polish Embassy’s Head Of Mission

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with the Head of Mission at the Polish Embassy, Bogdan Klich, to discuss Poland’s strong support of Ukraine as Vladimir Putin continues his brutal war. They also discussed Russia’s provocative incursion into Polish airspace, creating a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine that marks the first time NATO planes engaged enemy targets in alliance airspace.

“While I support efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine started by Russia, it is also clear that after each such engagement or threatened deadline from President Trump, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine brazenly increased, not decreased,” said Durbin. “As I reiterated to Mr. Klich, we must stand strong together—the United States, Poland, and Ukraine—to push back on Vladimir Putin and ensure any peace agreement is not a sellout to Putin. I also reiterated that Poland is our ally, and I hope the Trump Administration takes the Russian drone incursions to NATO seriously.”

“Poland is an invaluable NATO ally, a keystone of our collective defense on the Eastern flank and a steadfast partner in supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” said Shaheen. “In our meeting today, I reiterated my deep reservations about the Trump Administration’s initial so-called ‘peace’ proposal that is willing to accommodate Putin’s demands at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty and broader U.S. and European security interests. The United States should follow Poland’s lead and recognize the urgency of the moment—now is the time for a strong, coordinated Allied posture.”

In October, Durbin and Shaheen introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Russian incursions into NATO territory and reaffirming Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Durbin has visited Poland multiple times in recent years, including in February 2022 just days before Russia began its most recent assault on Ukraine. Chicago, Illinois, is home to the largest population of those with Polish ancestry outside of Poland. The Illinois National Guard has a long-standing partnership with Poland that includes training and exchanges. The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which just passed the Senate yesterday, included a Durbin-supported provision prohibiting the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Europe, including Poland.

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