Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, alongside U.S. President Joe Biden, underscored the unwavering commitment of the United States to Poland and discussed defense spending and the strategic partnership between the two nations during their visit to the White House on Tuesday.
President Biden emphasized the solid relationship, stating, “America’s commitment to Poland is ironclad,” and highlighted the importance of collective defense, reflecting the principle that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.
The discussions also ventured into defense spending, with President Duda advocating for NATO countries to increase their defense budget to 3 percent of GDP in response to aggression near NATO’s eastern borders, marking a shift from the previous benchmark of 2 percent. This comes amid heightened tensions and the need for a robust defense posture.
The meeting, which also saw participation from Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, began with Biden acknowledging the insufficiency of the newly announced aid package for Ukraine, signaling a need for continued support in the region.
Duda reiterated his call for increased NATO defense spending, citing Russian aggression towards Ukraine as a testament to the need for the U.S. to lead in security matters. He reflected on the 25th anniversary of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary joining NATO, celebrating the realization of a long-held dream of many Poles and the strategic decisions made by the U.S. that facilitated Eastern Europe’s integration into the Western world.
Highlighting Poland’s commitment to NATO, Duda mentioned the country’s defense spending, which exceeds 4 percent of GDP, the highest ratio within the alliance. This, he argued, demonstrates Poland’s reliability as an ally, evidenced by Polish soldiers fighting alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Polish president also discussed the significance of U.S.-Poland cooperation beyond defense, including energy and economic investments, mentioning the construction of a new nuclear power plant in collaboration with the U.S. and inviting American companies to invest in Poland.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, on his part, thanked Biden and the U.S. for remembering the foundational reasons for NATO’s establishment, emphasizing the importance of democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law. He also highlighted the inspirational role of Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign for many Poles and affirmed Poland’s status as a stable democracy concerned with the security of the region.
Tusk echoed the sentiment that a just Europe cannot exist without an independent Poland, adding that a secure Europe also cannot exist without a strong Poland nor a just Europe without a free and independent Ukraine. He assured that Poland remains a steadfast and enduring pillar of the transatlantic community, committed to the principles of NATO, regardless of domestic political outcomes.
