Poland's government said Thursday that the country, a neighbour to Ukraine and Russia, plans to train up to 500,000 volunteers by the end of next year to strengthen its defensive capabilities.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, NATO and EU member Poland has doubled down on defence as it seeks to deter foreign aggression.

Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the goal of the new training programme was to prepare the country and its citizens in case of further escalation.

Dubbed "Always Prepared", it is geared towards "all Polish citizens who seek to benefit from it", he told a press conference.

The programme will involve both individual and group sessions, "meant for younger people, even those in primary or middle school, as well as for workers and busines

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