Poland Stands Firm: President Duda Asserts Role in NATO Amid Ukraine Crisis

- It's a truism to say we are a reliable partner because we had our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our soldiers are still there, and American soldiers are now in Poland. 10,000 American soldiers guarantee our security - added the President in a conversation with TVN24.

- The threat is obvious to everyone. It stems from Russian aggression in Ukraine, which is an emanation of Russian imperial policy. This is the reborn Russian imperial policy that has not been seen since the time of the Soviet Union - President Andrzej Duda emphatically stated.

- Not today, but the wise look to the future. If we do not stop Russia in Ukraine, it will probably attack further. We need to build NATO's military potential, especially in our part of Europe, he admitted.

- I am the President of the Republic of Poland and I spoke about Polish interests. It is in our interest for Russia to be stopped in Ukraine. For Russian imperialism to be halted and punished in Ukraine. I said it is also in the interest of the United States. Whenever there has been a great war in Europe, American soldiers had to enter the fight and hundreds of thousands of graves of American soldiers, sons, and family fathers are today in Western Europe after World War II. Just give equipment and money. I told the Speaker: this is a low price. I did what, in my opinion, falls within the Polish President's duties - he stated.

Andrzej Duda was asked about Donald Trump's stance, which is in contrast to NATO and Ukraine.

I worked with President Trump for four years. He always kept his word. There is a presidential campaign going on in the USA. Harsh words are spoken, and then, when it comes to implementing policy, many things are moderated—the President noted.

Polish journalist Marcin Wrona asked, among other things, about Pope Francis's suggestion that Ukraine hold talks with Russia while flying a white flag.

That message is essentially unclear. I am a politician, and I look at it from the point of view of the Republic of Poland's interest, which is straightforward: Russia should be stopped, defeated, and punished, stated President Andrzej Duda.

As a person and a politician, I am disappointed that the Holy See does not show which side is just in this war. I have said this many times to representatives of the Holy See. We are neighbors. Together with the President of Lithuania, we left Ukraine for a few moments before the first bombs fell. I know who attacked whom, he added.

Source: TVN24