Ukraine's accession to NATO extremely important for Poland's security, Duda states
President of Poland Andrzej Duda (Photo: Getty Images)
The anticipated membership of Ukraine in NATO, as well as its accession to the European Union, fully corresponds to Poland's national interests, states the Polish President, Andrzej Duda at the opening session of the country's National Security Council.
The leader of Poland highlights the need for joint actions with the new government to fulfill Ukraine's intentions to join the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Duda also explains that Ukraine's accession to NATO would shift the alliance's eastern flank farther from Polish borders, which would be advantageous for the country's security.
Additionally, he emphasizes that Poland would gain "another strong military partner in the bloc," referring to Ukraine, which already possesses significant military experience from its two years of defense against Russia.
According to the Polish president, the Ukrainian army is currently "one of the best" in the world.
"From the perspective of security (Poland - Ed.), the future membership of Ukraine in NATO is an extremely important issue," Duda stresses.
NaŻywo Belweder. Wystąpienie Prezydenta RP otwierające posiedzenie RBN.[Sygnał udostępniony przez TVP INFO] https://t.co/s5OD9OWMQX
— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) December 20, 2023
Poland's position on Ukraine's NATO membership
At the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, Ukraine did not receive a direct invitation to join NATO despite expectations. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg explained that Ukraine would receive an invitation when "all allies agree, and conditions are met." However, he did not specify the exact conditions.
Responding to this situation, Polish President Andrzej Duda has stated that Warsaw believs the decision regarding Ukraine made at the NATO summit was insufficient. Nevertheless, there is hope that Ukrainians will be able to join the alliance in a few years.
Not long before the Vilnius NATO summit, Duda mentioned that Poland was interested in Ukraine joining the alliance as quickly as possible. However, the country could only do so after the end of the conflict with Russia.
