WARSAW, March 6. /ITAR-TASS/. US Air Forces exercises due to take place in March in Poland will be held in an extended format in view of the situation in Ukraine. Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said this on Thursday during a joint news conference with his German colleague Ursula von der Leyen.

“We turned to the USA with regard to the situation in Ukraine asking to consider actions that might expand the US presence in Poland,” he said.

The Polish minister expressed satisfaction with Washington’s decision to hold the upcoming Air Detachment exercises in March in a more extended format. “This shows that the US as a more close ally is able to react quickly to such requests and expectations,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, head of German Defense Ministry urged to continue the dialogue aimed at solving the crisis in Ukraine. “It’s time for diplomatic solutions,” she said. “In the EU, we should seek together with the USA opportunities for dialogue with Russia.”

Earlier, Pentagon head Chuck Hagel said that in view of the Ukrainian crisis the US would expand its military cooperation with Poland and Baltic States.