Calling Poland “a frontline state for NATO”, the US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski told Al-Jazeera that what Poland has done for refugees is unprecedented.

“Poland has a national policy to take in all the refugees coming from Ukraine and put them into people’s houses and apartments,” the ambassador said. “Never before has a nation done that with refugees arriving to its border.”

Over 2.7 mln Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

“When I was ambassador to Sweden, the Swedes were rightfully proud about how they had successfully assimilated one million refugees over 20 years. Poland has received 2.5 mln refugees in 30 days and put them all in people’s homes and apartments,” Ambassador Brzezinski said.

Recalling a myriad of similarities shared between the Polish and Ukrainian nations to explain the great compatibility of Poles and Ukrainians and the latter’s adaptability to conditions in Poland, the US ambassador said that Poland’s role in the future “hopefully will be one of rebuilding a post-Putin invasion Ukraine, if the Ukrainians are able to kick the Russians out.”

The ambassador also said that the current crisis brought about “alignments on security… democracy, values and the economy” between the US and Poland. “We stand four-square with you on your security,” the ambassador addressed Poland.

“And so we have 10,500 US troops in Poland or in Polish bases. We have Patriot missiles staged to protect Poland and our president has been clear that we will protect every square inch of Polish territory because it’s a member of NATO,” Ambassador Brzezinski said, stipulating that the US wanted to see from Poland a full commitment to democracy and values.