Germany will withdraw three Patriot air defense systems deployed in Poland in almost a year, the defense ministry in Berlin announced on Wednesday, confirming earlier plans, Reuters and Agerpres news agencies reported.

Along with Patriot systems, around 300 German soldiers have been deployed to the Polish city of Zamosc, about 50km from the Ukrainian border, since the start of the year to protect the southern city and its vital rail link to Ukraine.

The deployment of these units came after a Ukrainian missile hit the Polish village of Przewodow in the region last November, sparking fears that the war in Ukraine would spill over.

The German ministry said in August that the deployment was unlikely to continue beyond the end of this year, as the Patriot systems would either be needed by NATO’s rapid response forces in 2024 or undergo maintenance procedures.

German soldiers will complete their operations on Friday and begin redeployment next week, the ministry said.

“I am very happy with the friendly reception (…) of our soldiers in Zamosta by the Polish army and the people who live there,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Relations between Germany and Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party have been strained over a range of issues, from arms supplies to Kyiv to a migration deal with the EU that Warsaw has rejected.

Poland looks set for a change of government after the Oct. 15 election, with PiS winning the majority of seats in the lower house of parliament, but not a majority. All other parties ruled out the possibility of creating a coalition with “Law and Justice”.

____

• Follow the latest events of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HotNews.ro