In an interview with Fox News, Polish President Andrzej Duda highlighted the critical importance of a stable NATO policy and the need for consistent, unified action within the alliance.
During his visit to Washington, D.C., where the 75th anniversary NATO summit commenced on Tuesday evening, Duda expressed his country’s reliance on a stable NATO policy, especially in the context of the ongoing war at Poland’s borders.
In his interview with Fox News, Duda stated, “Today, from a Polish perspective, as the president of a nation bordering a full-scale war, it is crucial that NATO’s policy remains stable. We do not need new super ideas or grand ideologies today.”
Duda emphasized the significant role the United States plays within NATO, deeming it the de facto leader with the greatest military influence and capabilities. He commended the U.S. for its stable security policy, which he believes is of “fundamental importance” to Poland. This stability is highly appreciated, especially amidst the challenging security dynamics of Eastern Europe, said Duda.
Regarding the U.S. presidential election and Donald Trump’s ambiguous stance on NATO and European engagement, Duda remarked on his personal rapport with Trump, describing him as a man of extensive life and business experience whom he respects and appreciates.
Duda also assessed that the presidency of Donald Trump from 2016 to 2020 was a “good time for Poland.”
“I will never forget his visit to Warsaw for the Three Seas Initiative Summit. The presence of the president of the United States provided a strong impetus for the development of cooperation within the Three Seas, which led to many infrastructure successes in the form of road expansions, railway lines, and gas connections, which later saved us from Russian gas blackmail during the war in Ukraine,” he said.
The president added that during his nine-year presidency, his relations with successive U.S. presidents have been excellent.
Duda’s visit also highlighted the robust bilateral relations between Poland and the U.S., expressing gratitude for the American military presence in Poland and ongoing cooperation in security matters. He underscored the pivotal role of the West and the U.S. in supporting Ukraine and stated that Russia cannot win the war it started.
The summit takes place against the backdrop of political turbulence in the U.S., with President Joe Biden striving to sustain his candidacy in the upcoming election amid critiques and uncertainty concerning his record and debate performance.