In a letter to Alliance leaders, Duda underscored the urgency of this initiative as a decisive measure to counter Russian imperialism and bolster peace in Western Europe. "This is a fundamental step to maintain peace and stop the expansion of Russian imperialism into Western Europe," Duda emphasized.
Duda compared the move to pivotal moments in NATO's expansion and called for bold and uncompromising actions in the face of growing tensions across the globe. "The Kremlin has entered the tracks of a war economy, and there is no shortage of tensions in the Middle East and the Pacific. That's why today we must be bold and uncompromising," he stated.
The Polish president's call comes at a critical time when the Alliance has welcomed new members Sweden and Finland, a move Duda said he regarded as a strong reinforcement but insisted that unity and military capabilities needed further strengthening. He mentioned that Poland has already taken significant steps by allocating over four percent of its GDP to defense spending, surpassing the Alliance's current two percent target.
As NATO prepares for its summit in Washington in July, Duda urges a robust discussion on the Pact's future and the necessity for concrete decisions in response to Russian aggression. "What Vladimir Putin is doing today requires our unequivocal response. We need a discussion on the future of the Pact and concrete decisions," he asserted.
Echoing Duda's sentiments, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski on Thursday reflected on Poland's journey from Soviet oppression to its rightful place in the Alliance. "Unfortunately, Russia is on the offensive again. But fortunately, we are where we belong: in the company of democracy, among friends, at home. We are resisting again. Like a rock. Let us win again," Sikorski said during a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the signing of the treaty in Brussels.
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in 1949 in Washington by 12 countries: the US, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the UK. The alliance was created as a counterweight to the Soviet Union and was intended to maintain the U.S. military presence in Europe after World War II. Poland joined NATO in 1999.
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Source: PAP, IAR