The unity around the table was palpable. It wasn’t surprising to see a Polish alignment, yet it hardly surprised anyone that the discussion drifted toward shared positions with President Joe Biden and the American side on nearly every point. The moment reflected a tradition, not merely sentiment, rooted in clear common interests, as Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked after meeting with President Biden, in which President Andrzej Duda also participated.
Discussions naturally centered on Ukraine and the array of US, EU, and NATO support. The two leaders explored how swiftly US aid could be unblocked and how Poland could rally the EU to accelerate that assistance.
– he noted.
It was a serious conversation at a tense moment, aware that international relations today revolve around peace, war, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Yet even then, the topics included the depth of cooperation with the United States, particularly in the energy sector.
– added.
There was mention of a possible favorable loan from the United States for helicopters. He stressed that there were no surprises.
– he pointed out.
He also noted that there was no consideration of additional American troops stationed in Poland.
The primary objective of the visit, in his view, was to affirm unequivocally that America would not hesitate to come to Poland’s aid if Poland were attacked, and that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty remained indisputable. He sensed a strong American commitment to immediate action if such help were ever needed. He expressed hope that such a situation would not arise.
“We are truly united and we will continue to support Ukraine.”
The message to Moscow was straightforward: the West stands more united than ever in backing Ukraine. Tusk conveyed this during a briefing after the meeting with the US president, replying to a question about his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He added that the stance remained firm despite ongoing domestic challenges in the United States, noting that Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, would feel the weight of thousands of lives at stake in Ukraine and that his decision would also shape ordinary people’s futures. This was not a political sideshow on the American stage; it carried real consequences, Tusk asserted.
– said the Prime Minister.
I am confident I can say this on behalf of other European leaders,
– he added.
3 percent of GDP
During the briefing, Tusk was asked to respond to President Duda’s Monday statement about urging NATO allies to reach the 3 percent defense spending threshold. Duda had indicated the goal of mobilizing member states that currently spend less than 2 percent of GDP on defense. The aim, as described, was to remind and possibly shame those nations into meeting the 2 percent benchmark, potentially spurring broader support.
– Tusk replied.
However, the Prime Minister also noted that the reaction to this proposal had been lukewarm. Yet he remained steadfast, suggesting that over time some in the world might become accustomed to higher defense budgets. The appeal, he clarified, did not apply to Poland or the United States.
– he stated.
Support for Ukraine
At the press conference, questions arose about whether Biden and Tusk had discussed a new financial aid package for Ukraine. Tusk relayed that he had told President Biden that the decision to unblock aid to Ukraine in Congress was critical for Ukraine and the broader Western alliance, including the United States.
– he reported. He underscored the need to dispel speculation about whether the United States would remain engaged in supporting Ukraine.
Biden remained optimistic about a resolution to the impasse. Tusk noted that maintaining pro-Ukraine mobilization across European capitals would be crucial for his activities in Europe and for sustaining a unified stance among European partners.
– emphasized the Prime Minister.
He added that European partners wanted to know if they could count on consistency from the American side, including on this issue. He also expressed hope that the voice from Poland and Europe could influence Speaker Johnson’s stance, stressing that the decision would affect millions of lives in Ukraine.
– he said. He warned that a delay or negative decision would carry personal responsibility for thousands of lives, including children and families in Ukraine.
– Tusk emphasized.
[Citation: wPolityce]
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[Citation: wPolityce]
Source: wPolityce