President in contact with world leaders on the security situation
In the current security situation, President Andrzej Duda is in constant contact with European and world leaders, as well as the highest representatives of NATO and the European Union. Andrzej Duda held a number of meetings and telephone conversations last week (February 7–13):
- Consultations with US, Canadian and European leaders and NATO Secretary–General
On Friday, with the participation of Polish President Andrzej Duda, further consultations took place between the leaders of the US, Canada and European countries and the NATO Secretary General. The topic: fears of Russian aggression against Ukraine and growing presence of Russian troops near Ukrainian borders and in Belarus.
All leaders spoke with one voice that it is necessary to complete the system of sanctions against Russia, should an attack on Ukraine take place. It is necessary to support Ukraine and not to subject oneself to the dictate from Russia,” the Polish President stressed.
This is the second such conversation in recent times. The first – also organised at the initiative of US President Joe Biden in a similar setting – took place over a fortnight ago.
- Meetings in Brussels
In NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the President of the Republic of Poland spoke with Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General. – I have no doubts that it is necessary to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO – said Andrzej Duda at the meeting with journalists. The President pointed out emphatically that „it is in our interest to have peace and tranquility”. – A military threat is the last thing Polish people would want,” he added.
The President of Poland suggested to the NATO Secretary General to organise meetings in the NATO–Ukraine and NATO–Georgia formats. – We should demonstarte our solidarity with these countries, we should manifest that we are not leaving them alone, that – since they have always been loyal allies of the North Atlantic Alliance – the Alliance also remembers about them,' Andrzej Duda said.
In Brussels, the Polish leader also met with the Head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. – Both in the European Union and NATO we should act together. Those who provoke international tensions should see our unity, because this is the only way for us to defend peace and international law, which is of fundamental importance,” said the Polish President following the talks.
- Weimar Triangle Summit in Berlin
A meeting between Polish President Andrzej Duda, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron took place in Berlin on Tuesday.
During a joint statement with the German Chancellor and the French President, Andrzej Duda stressed the need for unity and solidarity:
– We must show that we speak with one voice, that we are a community, that we cannot be broken.
- With the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski
On Thursday Andrzej Duda was on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski. The presidents exchanged information, among others, about the course of the Weimar Triangle summit in Berlin and their meetings and talks they wer having in recent days in Kiev, Beijing and Brussels.
The Polish President assured the President of Ukraine of Poland's full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He also thanked the Ukrainian side for its constructive approach to solving infrastructure problems.
- With the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Another telephone conversation on Thursday: Andrzej Duda spoke with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The leaders raised the issue of the security situation in the region in connection with the concentration of Russian military forces around Ukraine and Belarus. They stressed their willingness to cooperate closely for sake of de–escalation.
The two presidents agreed that international law must be strictly respected, and this is tantamount to disagreement to any attempt to curtail Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by force.
- With the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella
The security situation in Europe featured importantly in a telephone conversation with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday. According to the Head of the Presidential Office for International Policy Jakub Kumoch, the Polish President congratulated the Italian President on his recent re–election and discussed the security situation in Europe.
- With British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Moreover, on Thursday, Polish President Andrzej Duda hosted the Prime Minister of Britain Boris Johnson at the Presidential Palace. Poland and the UK have a very clear and close position on security issues, remarked Head of the Presidential Office for International Policy, Jakub Kumoch.
- With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed the situation unfolding at the Ukraine's borders with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday.