Poland is strengthening its defensive posture. In 2023 the country plans to allocate more than four percent of its GDP to defense, a level that exceeds NATO allies’ expectations. President Andrzej Duda described the effort as building a shared security framework, emphasizing that the country stands with its partners in a collective defense approach.
“Today we are building common security”
The interview, published on the presidential office website, touched on Poland’s strategic ties with the United States. When asked whether this arrangement constitutes a security guarantee, the president pointed to NATO membership and the protections provided by Article 5 of the treaty as a cornerstone of that guarantee.
The actions speak as loudly as words. With NATO reinforcing its eastern flank, nearly 10,000 American troops are stationed on Polish soil. The nation is expanding its defensive capabilities, preparing to spend over four percent of GDP on defense in 2023, a figure notably higher than the NATO average. The president stressed that this effort is about more than rhetoric and is moving toward a united security posture for all allies.
When asked about the possibility of a Russian attack on Poland, Duda said that an assault on Poland would amount to an attack on NATO itself. He recalled that after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the alliance stood with the United States, and he asserted that a future attack on any NATO member would elicit a swift and decisive response.
emphasized the president.
“Putin can win”
During the conversation, Duda underscored the urgency of aid to Ukraine. If Ukraine does not receive timely military support, the president warned, Russian forces could gain the upper hand due to gaps in modern infrastructure but capable manpower. He warned that delaying or withholding military equipment could enable a Russian advance that would be difficult to stop.
He also highlighted Polish pride in the public’s response to Ukrainian refugees, noting that Poles remember the heavy human costs of past occupations and invasions. This solidarity, he said, reflects a broader regional awareness of Russian actions and their impact on security in Central and Eastern Europe.
Reflecting on regional security, Duda noted that Moscow’s approach has kept Eastern European nations alert to evolving threats. He recalled Poland’s long-standing position within NATO and the Three Seas framework, stressing that the region has warned about risks associated with Vladimir Putin for years. In recalling history, he cited the 2008 Georgian conflict, where Polish leadership stood alongside Ukraine and Baltic states in support of a resilient stance against aggression.
The president emphasized that Eastern European countries remain in solidarity with NATO and that Poland views its territory as a strategic corridor toward the Baltic States. The Suwałki Corridor, a narrow strip near the border with Belarus and Kaliningrad, was identified as a critical route. He warned that neglecting defense along this corridor could isolate the Baltic states from the alliance, a prospect he takes seriously in coordination with regional partners.
“There is no place that would not suffer”
The interview also explored whether Poland should pursue war reparations from Germany for the devastation of World War II. Duda acknowledged that, in the aftermath, Germany did not provide reparations and that Polish society broadly supports the cause. He argued that Poland, as a country that endured immense losses and destruction, should not be expected to absorb these grievances without remedy.
He described Poland’s postwar reconstruction as a national effort, while noting that some other nations, like Greece, continue to pursue reparations. The president asserted that Poland, having experienced the sharpest blows of occupation, deserves consideration in discussions about restitution.
The coverage of these topics was attributed to the presidential spokesperson and reported by outlets such as wPolityce in the summary provided by the press office. (attribution: wPolityce)