During the annual military commanders' briefing, Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized the urgent need for significant funding from the SAFE program to strengthen the Polish army. However, he raised concerns regarding the sovereignty aspect, questioning whether the allocated funds might be delayed or suspended. General Roman Polko responded by dismissing the president's worries, asserting the importance of Poland adhering to European Union values and principles following its accession. He emphasized that Poland should not emulate countries like Hungary that undermine democratic principles.

General Polko strongly affirmed the Prime Minister's stance that blocking the SAFE program would be detrimental to Poland's security initiatives. He described SAFE as critical not only for bolstering national defense but also for ensuring a connected and collaborative relationship within the EU. Polko's remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny over military funding in Poland and underline the necessity for solidarity among EU member states in dealing with security challenges.

His comments highlight a growing tension between adhering to EU commitments and the nationalistic sentiments that have surfaced in some member states, particularly regarding funding and governance. The discourse surrounding SAFE reflects broader debates about the balance between national sovereignty and collaborative security measures within the European framework.