America’s engagement with Poland is ironclad; we always say that an attack on one ally is an attack on all of us, said U.S. President Joe Biden at the beginning of the meeting at the White House with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday.
President Duda and Prime Minister Tusk, accompanied by Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, arrived at the White House for a meeting with President Biden. One of the main topics of discussion is the future of NATO.
“America’s engagement with Poland is ironclad” - President Biden strongly emphasized that an attack on one is an attack on all.
But he also stressed that Russia would not stop at Ukraine.
“We must act before it literally is too late. Because as Poland remembers, Russia won’t stop at Ukraine. Putin will keep going, putting Europe, the United States and the entire free world at risk," Biden said.
Duda: Increased defense spending 'a necessity'
President Duda said that Poland's Nato allies "should take upon themselves more responsibility for the security of the entire alliance."
"That is why we believe that it is necessary for all countries to increase their defence spending. Two percent of GDP was agreed upon 10 years ago, but today 3 percent should be a response to aggression at Nato's eastern frontier," Duda said.
Referring to the 25th anniversary of Poland's Nato accession, Duda said that the 25 years of Poland's membership in the military bloc showed that Poland was a reliable ally.
He also said that "Poland, being aware of the price of security, has been spending over 4 percent of GDP on defence."
"This is the highest percentage level in the entire alliance," he added.
The significance of Art. 5
At the beginning of the meeting, Tusk thanked Biden and the U.S. “for not forgetting why NATO was established.” He also expressed gratitude for adhering to the principles of the Washington Treaty.
PM Tusk emphasized that President Duda and himself went to Washington to remind and confirm that Poland is a strong and enduring pillar of NATO. In his opinion, no matter who wins the elections, Poland always speaks with one voice when it comes to national security.
The Polish PM stated that Poland, more than other European partners, takes its commitments seriously. He expressed his hope that none of NATO partners will undermine the most important commitment, which is Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.
During Tuesday’s talks, the three leaders discussed topics such as the current situation in NATO, the future enlargement of the Alliance, including Ukraine, as well as Polish-American military cooperation and Polish arms purchases in the U.S.
“America’s engagement with Poland is ironclad” - President Biden strongly emphasized that an attack on one is an attack on all.
But he also stressed that Russia would not stop at Ukraine.
“We must act before it literally is too late. Because as Poland remembers, Russia won’t stop at Ukraine. Putin will keep going, putting Europe, the United States and the entire free world at risk," Biden said.
Duda: Increased defense spending 'a necessity'
President Duda said that Poland's Nato allies "should take upon themselves more responsibility for the security of the entire alliance."
"That is why we believe that it is necessary for all countries to increase their defence spending. Two percent of GDP was agreed upon 10 years ago, but today 3 percent should be a response to aggression at Nato's eastern frontier," Duda said.
Referring to the 25th anniversary of Poland's Nato accession, Duda said that the 25 years of Poland's membership in the military bloc showed that Poland was a reliable ally.
He also said that "Poland, being aware of the price of security, has been spending over 4 percent of GDP on defence."
"This is the highest percentage level in the entire alliance," he added.
The significance of Art. 5
At the beginning of the meeting, Tusk thanked Biden and the U.S. “for not forgetting why NATO was established.” He also expressed gratitude for adhering to the principles of the Washington Treaty.
PM Tusk emphasized that President Duda and himself went to Washington to remind and confirm that Poland is a strong and enduring pillar of NATO. In his opinion, no matter who wins the elections, Poland always speaks with one voice when it comes to national security.
The Polish PM stated that Poland, more than other European partners, takes its commitments seriously. He expressed his hope that none of NATO partners will undermine the most important commitment, which is Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.
During Tuesday’s talks, the three leaders discussed topics such as the current situation in NATO, the future enlargement of the Alliance, including Ukraine, as well as Polish-American military cooperation and Polish arms purchases in the U.S.
Source: PAP, AFP News
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