We support and will support Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion, President Andrzej Duda said in an interview published Friday for Ukrainian TV channels. The Polish president also assured that Ukraine could always count on him for membership of the European Union.
From the very beginning of the war, we have been training Ukrainian military personnel on our territory. In various spheres, including recently also for tankers, but also of the operation of Krab howitzers and in many other areas. We also offered our training when it comes to F-16 aircraft
– said Duda in an interview published in Ukrainian on the Espreso TV portal.
It is no secret that we have been sending weapons to Ukraine from the very beginning of the conflict
said the chairman.
He pointed out that Poland sends Krab howitzers and maintains them in the country. He expressed his belief that a service center for Leopard tanks would soon be established in consultation with Germany. As he added, negotiations are underway to start the operation of this center.
Listing the weapons sent – ammunition, rifles, Krab howitzers, armored vehicles, more than 300 tanks and MiG-29 aircraft – Duda stressed: “we support and will support Ukraine”.
NATO summit in Vilnius
When asked about the possible concrete outcomes for Ukraine of the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, the president replied that the transformation of the NATO-Ukraine Commission into the NATO-Ukraine Council was “just a foregone conclusion”. He pointed out that the Council would be a “much stronger” structure when it comes to Ukraine’s ability to “mobilize NATO” “when needed”. As he added, a “very strong proposal” regarding the Council is that Ukraine can demand its convocation at any time.
Duda then added that “it would be best” from his point of view as Poland’s president if NATO formally invited Ukraine to join the Alliance.
He admitted that it was difficult for him to say how long Ukraine’s accession process to the European Union would take; however, he assured that Ukraine “can count on him”.
I strongly believe in the capacity of Ukrainian society to adapt to the EU and make the most of its membership in the European Union. I have no doubt that, despite the high costs the EU will have to bear in helping Ukraine to rebuild, they will pay off when Ukraine joins the EU.
– reported the words of the Polish President to the Espresso portal.
In the interview, Andrzej Duda also stressed that “Russia should not win the war” against Ukraine, because “the heroism of the Ukrainian people, the heroism of the defenders of Ukraine deserves the greatest respect and support.”
Russia must also not win because then it will “attack further; it will support its imperialism,” the Polish president stressed. He compared Russia to a wild beast that has devoured a man and must therefore be hunted because it has become accustomed to such prey. If Russia “devours” Ukraine, even partially, it will “throw itself on the rest” of this country, as well as other countries, such as Poland, the Baltic states and countries of the former USSR sphere of influence, President Duda stressed. .
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mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.