Andrzej Duda: “Russia should suffer the most severe punishment”
February 24 is just around the corner – the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our correspondent Sasha Vakulina talked to the President of Poland. Andrzej Duda from the first days of Russian aggression depending on the situation comprehensive assistance. The conversation with the Polish proliferation took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“Fight calmly!”
Sasha Vakulina: “February 24 is approaching – the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Your country has been at the forefront during this time, in many aspects. I want to know how Poland has changed this year?”
Andrzej Duda: “Poland has changed a lot. , Ukrainian soldiers, commanders, they said so many times: “Fight calmly, defend your homeland from the Russian aggression. Your wives, children, mothers, sisters who came to us, to Poland, are safe!”
Today in Poland, the Ukrainian language can be heard everywhere, in every state institution, in every store, on the tram, on the bus, on the street – everywhere. This is our reality. We live side by side and we are fine. We can say that we are two friendly, even fraternal peoples. From the point of view of economic security for us, and for the whole world, there was a very powerful confirmation that independence, freedom is not given once and for all, that it can be lost as a result of aggression. A free, sovereign, independent country was severely attacked; the brutal Russian invader seizes houses, fires rockets at civilian settlements, kills. This is a big shock for the whole world, even more mobilization planned for the approaching security.”
Poland wins the alarm
Sasha Vakulina: “Do you think the calls for emergency security, for more concern, especially after the speech in Davos and after this message was heard so clearly here at the World Economic Community?”
Andrzej Duda: “The fact is that this, which has always had an economic profile, is now dominated by security issues. in the video of the crime, in connection with this, Russian aggression occurred. Polish initiative on sending Leopard tanks, oh, so that, within the framework of the allied assistance of different countries, to be able to assemble these vehicles, die on the occasion of the emergence of an armored brigade for Ukraine. On the solar security of Europe. We note that the policy of Russia, as we all see now, was developed and oriented towards dominance over Europe; hence the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. This, by the way, is the reason for the Polish protests against the Nord Stream, because we see in the future a project towards Russian hegemony in the European energy market in the gas sector. We diversified gas supplies to Poland for many years because it was dangerous. Unfortunately, our results were ignored. Therefore, today in Davos we are talking about building energy security with our heads held high, as we ourselves have been doing this for a long time”
Sasha Vakulina: “Poland has in the past voiced increased attention, natural security, economic dependence, security in general. How do you think the war in Ukraine is changing the dynamics of geopolitical security in Europe for Poland and the countries of Eastern Europe?”
Andrzej Duda: “Firstly, Putin and the Russian aggressors were certainly surprised by the unity – the unity of the European Union, the unity of NATO. Secondly, this war has shown that security today is impossible without the close Euro-Atlantic, or transatlantic, ties that the US plays. We are already planning over $2.3 billion. we know that this is due to the approach of the security of our part of Europe. let’s do it!”
Open doors to knockers
Sasha Vakulina: “In recent years, we see that the EU has not expanded much.
Andrzej Duda. They have the right to decide, in the spread of their society, the spread of any system. Moldova, the people of Georgia, they all have the right to do so.
The war shows that this is exactly what Putin cannot accept! He – with his author’s character is different, the desire to enslave the peoples and his own investment society – to return these rights from Ukrainians, their freedom, the desire to be responsible to Western communities – to NATO, to the European Union. We will never be able to accept this possibility. And today Volodymyr Zelensky expects further steps from NATO.”
Sasha Vakulina: “After almost eighty years of peace in Europe, the war is returning to the continent again.
Andrzej Duda: “First, the whole arrest is necessary. Ukraine, did not go unpunished that they suffered criminal liability for their actions.