Polish President Andrzej Duda visited Washington with a clear message: Russia’s aggressive actions are bringing back Cold War-like tensions, independent of US policies, as per Politico on Tuesday. At the NATO Summit, Duda emphasized Poland’s commitment to European security by significantly exceeding NATO’s defense spending guidelines and providing substantial military aid to Ukraine.
Duda urged NATO to strengthen its defenses against Russia’s military build-up near Poland’s borders in Kaliningrad and Belarus. He criticized past Western responses to Russian aggression as insufficient, calling for more robust NATO policies and increased defense spending to effectively counter current threats.
The Polish president also advocated for Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership, seeking concrete steps towards this goal despite the challenges. His diplomatic efforts at the summit aimed to secure expanded NATO commitments, including agreements on defense procurements to enhance allied military readiness.
Duda’s visit highlighted Poland’s pivotal role in NATO’s defense strategy amid escalating tensions with Russia. His calls for stronger alliances, increased defense capabilities, and continued support for Ukraine underscored Poland’s proactive stance in safeguarding European security in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.