President Duda to the French media: Only our decisive attitude is the hope of defense against Russian imperialism

I have no doubt that only our decisive, very solid attitude towards collective defense against any attack on a NATO country and strengthening our defense means that we have hope of defense against Russian imperialism – said President Andrzej Duda in an interview for the French television channel LCI.

On Monday, President Duda took part in multilateral plenary talks at the Elysée Palace devoted to the war in Ukraine and support for this country.

The president also gave an interview to the French television channel LCI.

I have no doubt that only our decisive, very solid and unified stance in terms of collective defense against any attack on a NATO country and strengthening our defense, i.e. increasing defense spending, modernizing our armies, buying weapons, i.e. returning to a Europe that Although the country is really militarily strong, today there is hope of defense against Russian imperialism

– President Duda said in an interview published on the website of the Chancellery of the President.

We are aware that we need to build up our own military potential

– he emphasized.

And we do it. We currently spend over 4%. GDP. These are huge expenses that we are carrying out with the consent of Polish society. People are aware of the potential threat from Russia, they see what is happening in Ukraine. But of course we are also aware of the difference in potential between Poland and Russia and we know that if anything were to happen, the presence and credibility of the North Atlantic Alliance here is fundamental.

– he emphasized.

As he noted, nuclear weapons are an extremely effective deterrent.

When asked whether Poland would be stronger if it were protected by nuclear weapons, I replied that of course it would.

– said Duda.

Macron’s concept

He said that French President Emmanuel Macron’s idea to bring the European part of NATO under a nuclear umbrella is a very important vote in the ongoing discussion, which we in Poland absolutely positively accept.

As we read on the Chancellery website, the President pointed out that Poland not only directly borders Ukraine, but also shares a common border with Russia, and that we are also the only country – apart from Ukraine – where Russian missiles have recently been fallen. We are aware that we are potentially in danger, he added.

Andrzej Duda recalled that we have been struggling with Russia for five hundred years, that we have been under Russian occupation several times and hundreds of thousands of Poles have been murdered by the Russians.

Of course, it would be best if Russia simply did not exist

– said the president.

Here, in Western Europe and on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, they can talk about the need for strategic balance… But in Poland everyone will say that these are fairy tales, because it would be best if in this part of the world would not be a strong Russia. the world. Then this potential, dramatic threat to us will disappear. This is our Polish view: a strong Russia is always a very serious threat to us, a weak Russia is a decreasing threat to Poland

– he emphasized.

We do not want to live in a common home with Russia. We have already been to a Russian house, it was called Russkij Mir. Thank you

– said Andrzej Duda.

mly/PAP