“It is the duty of politicians to arrange important matters. Like defending our borders, strengthening our army, strengthening our alliances,” President Andrzej Duda said during the Polish Army Day.
The president spoke “Strong White and Red” during the military parade.
This is the day when we pay tribute to the Polish soldiers who shed their blood to make Poland free, independent and safe. This is the day when we commemorate the great victory won in 1920 by the newly reborn Republic of Poland. The heroism of Polish soldiers in the Battle of Warsaw decided the victory, which was of great importance both for the security of our homeland and for the whole of Europe
said the chairman.
Polish soldiers changed the course of history, they protected all of Europe. The Day of the Polish Army perfectly combines past, present and future. That’s why today is the best day to talk about our safety. Safety here and now. The security of Poland in 2023, but also the certainty of the future. The safety of our children and grandchildren. Ladies and gentlemen, dear compatriots, in my New Year’s address I said that security would be the biggest Polish problem. Anyone can see that this is absolutely fundamental. Because, as has happened so many times in our history, we have again entered perilous times. A large-scale war has been raging behind our eastern border for a year and a half. The relentless Russian aggression against independent Ukraine brought death, pain and suffering. This is a war whose end is unfortunately not yet in sight. We, Poland, were involved from the very beginning in helping Ukraine, which fought heroically against the Russian invader. Thanks in part to our help, Ukraine has defended itself and is still fighting. And thanks to the fact that the defenders of Ukraine stop the Russian attack and inflict painful losses on the aggressor every day, Poland is safer today. If someone does not understand this, if someone criticizes our commitment and support, it means that in fact they do not understand anything, they do not understand what Poland’s security is based on. Independent Ukraine and independent Belarus are extremely important for independent Poland. For the security of our borders, and we Poles always treat our borders as sacred. Many times in history these borders have been attacked. Polish soldiers shed blood in their defense, that’s why we know very well that the defense of borders is one of the absolute foundations of independence
he argued.
Border attack
The president recalled the attack on the Polish borders.
Even before the large-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, we were the target of a hybrid attack on our borders led by Belarusian and Russian secret services
he said.
As a country, we passed this test perfectly. We owe this to the decisive attitude and dedication of Polish soldiers and officers. Therefore, on the Day of the Polish Armed Forces, I would like to thank them again for their dedicated service and constant protection of the Polish borders. Let them take my compliments, just like all the Polish soldiers who guard our homeland every day
he said.
We cannot afford to sit still today, so we are strengthening and will be strengthening our army here and now. The security of Poland, Polish women and men is priceless. Poland’s security depends on our strength, but also on our alliances. That is why we have been an active member of the North Atlantic Alliance for many years
– added.
The words of Lech Kaczynski
Andrzej Duda remembered the words spoken by Lech Kaczyński in Tbilisi.
Exactly three days ago, 15 years have passed since the historic speech of President Lech Kaczyński in Tbilisi during the Russian aggression at a time when Russian tanks were on their way to the Georgian capital. The brave President of the Republic of Poland, along with other brave leaders of our region, then appealed from the center of Tbilisi to the free world for unity and resistance to Russia’s imperial efforts. And he warned: “Georgia today, Ukraine tomorrow, the Baltic States the day after tomorrow, and then it may be time for my country, Poland.” We remember these words very well. Professor Lech Kaczyński, my teacher, was a strong supporter of further NATO expansion to include Georgia and Ukraine. Unfortunately, he was not listened to at the time. He was viciously attacked, mocked, his ideas undermined. But he was right. History has proven it to him. And that is a lesson all politicians should learn from. That is why I have called many times during my presidency for Poland’s security issues to be kept out of the political dispute. Especially in such a turbulent time that we are currently dealing with
he said.
At the end of his speech, the president recalled the importance of state security.
Politics can’t be about anything. Politics has to be about something. It must have substance, it must implement what people consider important. It is the job of politicians to arrange important matters. Like defending our borders, strengthening our military, strengthening our alliances. And today, in these difficult times, security must be the main Polish issue. The security of Poland, the security of Polish women and men, our security. Long live the Polish army, long live the free, independent and sovereign Republic of Poland. God bless our homeland, bless our soldiers and their families, bless all Poles
– said Andrzej Duda.
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Source: wPolityce