In an interview with Polish broadcaster Radio Zet, Duda said Trump is “very calmly trying to show the world he never provoked any Russian escalation,” yet added that tougher measures are now needed because “despite many US efforts, Putin is not responding.”
“I expect President Donald Trump will take more radical action,” Duda said, suggesting stiffer sanctions could follow.
“Trump has huge experience as a businessman," he added.
Duda cited Trump’s earlier move to sanction Western firms working on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
“Time showed how effective that was in halting the investment,” he said.
Asked about reports that Trump briefed several Western European leaders—but not Warsaw—after a recent phone call with Putin, Duda called the situation “specific” but said he understood US “pragmatism,” noting he leaves office in a few months.
The Polish leader also noted that he has formally proposed raising NATO defense spending targets to 3 percent of GDP.
Duda said he “calmly” awaits the Netherlands gathering, the first NATO summit under new Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP