Andrzej Duda was speaking to the media during the three-day NATO meeting in the Spanish capital, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
'Direct threat to Allies’ security'
During the summit, NATO leaders endorsed a new strategic concept to describe Russia as “the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.”
They also decided to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank and invite two Nordic countries, Finland and Sweden, to join NATO.
Moreover, President Joe Biden announced that Washington would create a permanent headquarters for the US Army's V Corps in Poland.
'Very significant strengthening of NATO'
Referring to these moves, the Polish president told reporters on Thursday: “The NATO summit and its decisions … respond to the threat from Russia and additionally strengthen the security of our countries and societies.”
Duda said the decisions had been taken “in the spirit of unity, solidarity and understanding towards the eastern flank countries.”
The Polish president added that, at the request of the Polish delegation, NATO pledged to assist countries that support war-torn Ukraine.
The summit declaration stated: “We welcome efforts of all Allies engaged in providing support to Ukraine. We will assist them adequately, recognising their specific situation.”
'A defeat for Russia'
Referring to NATO’s invitation for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, Duda said it was “a very significant strengthening of NATO, especially favourable to our part of Europe.”
The president said that NATO's summit represented "a defeat for Russia."
On Thursday, the last day of the Madrid summit, NATO leaders discussed "threats emanating from the south" as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including a potential food crisis in North Africa and a possible new migration wave, as well as terrorist threats, according to Duda.
Thursday was day 127 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, nato.int