President Andrzej Duda, in an English-language recording posted on the internet on Friday, criticized the downplaying of the Russian threat, calling on Europe to intensively build defense capabilities, and arguing that “the free world cannot allow” Putin to win.
In his appeal, published on the eve of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion, the President rebuked European leaders, emphasizing that the United States, as well as Poland and its CEE neighbors, warned the world about Russia’s imperialistic aspirations many years before the ongoing war broke out.
“If the attitude of not teasing Russia had not prevailed, Ukraine would be a member of NATO today. This war would not be fought! This should be a big remorse for some NATO member states,” he stressed.
According to Duda, the Russian aggression against Ukraine demonstrated the importance of NATO's role and the presence of American soldiers in Poland and Europe. “The United States is and should remain the leader of security in Europe and across the world,” he declared.
The President emphasized that NATO members should also assume greater responsibility for the security of the entire alliance, including intensively modernizing and strengthening armed forces. “This is what Poland has been doing for quite a while. We are currently allocating over 4% of GDP for the modernization of our army. For we know that security has a very well–defined, huge price to pay,” the President said.
He recalled that together with the President of Lithuania, he visited Kyiv the day before the Russian invasion to support President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, and to convince them that “ the world would not leave Ukraine alone.”
Andrzej Duda expressed pride in the fact that millions of Poles “from the first hours of the war, opened up their hearts and homes for our neighbors who were fleeing the tragedy of the war,” while Poland sought to build a coalition to help Ukraine and “strived to set–up the broadest possible international coalition of support for Ukraine and to impose harsh sanctions on Russia”
The President said that Poland had provided its own armaments: over 300 tanks, howitzers, armored personnel carriers, and finally, aircraft. “We did it at a time when it was most needed, when not everyone was willing to provide such support,” he said, ensuring that “we supported, we are supporting and we will continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom!”
“This support is still critically needed today. Irrespective of the war fatigue. The free world may not let Putin and Russia triumph. Should that happen, we will face another war, sooner or later,” Duda warned.
“If the attitude of not teasing Russia had not prevailed, Ukraine would be a member of NATO today. This war would not be fought! This should be a big remorse for some NATO member states,” he stressed.
According to Duda, the Russian aggression against Ukraine demonstrated the importance of NATO's role and the presence of American soldiers in Poland and Europe. “The United States is and should remain the leader of security in Europe and across the world,” he declared.
The President emphasized that NATO members should also assume greater responsibility for the security of the entire alliance, including intensively modernizing and strengthening armed forces. “This is what Poland has been doing for quite a while. We are currently allocating over 4% of GDP for the modernization of our army. For we know that security has a very well–defined, huge price to pay,” the President said.
“If we want a safe Europe for future generations, we have to act. We have to act now,” emphasized Duda.Two years ago to date, in the evening of 23 February, I was leaving Kyiv. I was there to support Ukraine. Nothing has changed in this respect. Poland supported, is supporting and will continue to support the fight for Ukraine’s freedom.🇵🇱🤝🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/dx4sRho7Ev
— Andrzej Duda (@AndrzejDuda) February 23, 2024
He recalled that together with the President of Lithuania, he visited Kyiv the day before the Russian invasion to support President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, and to convince them that “ the world would not leave Ukraine alone.”
Andrzej Duda expressed pride in the fact that millions of Poles “from the first hours of the war, opened up their hearts and homes for our neighbors who were fleeing the tragedy of the war,” while Poland sought to build a coalition to help Ukraine and “strived to set–up the broadest possible international coalition of support for Ukraine and to impose harsh sanctions on Russia”
The President said that Poland had provided its own armaments: over 300 tanks, howitzers, armored personnel carriers, and finally, aircraft. “We did it at a time when it was most needed, when not everyone was willing to provide such support,” he said, ensuring that “we supported, we are supporting and we will continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom!”
“This support is still critically needed today. Irrespective of the war fatigue. The free world may not let Putin and Russia triumph. Should that happen, we will face another war, sooner or later,” Duda warned.
Source: PAP president.pl
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