The future security of Europe is reliant upon bringing an end to Russian imperialism, Polish President Andrzej Duda said during three-way talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris on Monday.
The meeting in Paris started with a one-on-one conversation between Duda and Macron before Scholz joined the leaders and a meeting of the Weimar Triangle format took place. The discussions focused on the security issues of Poland and the entire region in the context of the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius and support for Ukraine.
At a joint news conference after the meetings, Duda said that the three countries “are absolutely united by common interests.” The Polish president added that all leaders stand with Ukraine and are aware that Russia cannot win this war.
“For the security of Europe, it is crucial to extinguish Russian imperialism,” he claimed, adding that Europe should enable Ukraine to politically join the West.
“I spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky, who called me and provided me with a current report on what is happening on the frontline where Ukrainians are defending themselves against Russian aggression and conducting a counteroffensive. I hope that with our support it will be effective. We want the Ukrainian army to achieve victory, which means the expulsion of Russian forces from all occupied territories. That is how this war should end,” said Duda.
He further stated that the goal is peace, but a lasting one, not temporary.
The Polish president announced that during the discussions of the Weimar Triangle, topics such as further assistance to Ukraine and the shape of the so-called air coalition were addressed. But above all, they discussed how to create a real path for Ukraine’s future membership in NATO.
“This is the great expectation of the Ukrainian authorities, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian society. They want to receive a very concrete path for joining the Alliance from us,” Duda stated.
President Macron said that Russia had suffered a defeat by attacking Ukraine. “It is evident that Ukraine will not be subjugated and peace will remain the true solution.”
He also said that support for Ukraine must be sustained. “We will not only ensure that Russia does not emerge victorious, but it will also be unable to repeat its attack on Ukraine.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also emphasized that Ukraine will be supported as long as necessary. “We stick together and consult closely. This unity is our strength, which Russia did not expect, and Vladimir Putin underestimated this when he decided to attack Ukraine.
“It is time for Putin to understand that his plan has failed and to end this war,” the German chancellor concluded.
