Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Tomasz Siemoniak has said that hopes are fading for a peaceful conclusion to the Ukrainian crisis.

Speaking to journalists at a conference on Poland's plans to consolidate its military in the wake of the Newport NATO summit of September 2014, Siemoniak confirmed that military security is an ''absolute priority'' of the government.

''There are fewer and fewer prospects for a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis,'' he said.

''I feel that very difficult months and years await us in connection with this, because Russia's unconcealed aim is to block Ukraine's path to Europe.''

Siemoniak said that besides intensive military exercises and the training of more reservists, the armed forces would be expanding cooperation with paramilitary groups.

On 20 March there will be a conference in Warsaw during which the future shape of Poland's National Reserve Forces will be unveiled.

The minister envisages 12,000 reservists being trained this year, with the number rising to 38,000 in subsequent years.

''Equally important is the constant rotational presence of NATO forces on Polish territory,'' Siemoniak, affirmed in relation to the September 2014 summit in Wales.

Siemoniak likewise said that ''there are no obstacles'' to Poland selling weapons to Ukraine.

Warsaw will host a NATO summit in 2016. (nh)

Source: PAP