On Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda released an official statement urging all leaders of NATO member countries to elevate their defense expenditures from 2% to a minimum of 3% of their respective GDPs.
The letter obtained by Euronews reveals that during Poland’s 26th anniversary as a complete member of the alliance, the nation’s president urged the leaders from all 31 other member countries to increase their military forces and back NATO at the forthcoming summit in the Netherlands.
“Last time I visited NATO headquarters, I formally asked NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to bring up the matter of all member nations boosting their defense expenditure to at least 3% of GDP during the forthcoming summit in The Hague,” stated Duda.
“There isn’t enough time left for debates; we require choices instead. It’s imperative that we take action immediately,” he stressed.
The President of Poland additionally mentioned that during the previous NATO summit held in Washington, he was the initial speaker to address the heightened defense expenditure as a key priority.
Recently, Duda suggested adding an amendment to the Polish Constitution that would ensure the Eastern European nation consistently allocates at least 4% of its GDP for defense and security purposes.
“Since the start of my presidency, I aimed for Poland to be seen not only as a beneficiary but also as a contributor to security,” stated the Polish President, reflecting on how in recent years, Poland has focused on enhancing its military capabilities, boosting its strength, and updating its equipment.
Duda, among the select group of European politicians maintaining positive relations with President Donald Trump and his administration, emphasized that from his perspective, the United States remains a cornerstone of NATO.
The United States has been and remains the inherent leader of this coalition,” Duda stated, emphasizing that the robustness of NATO “is rooted in our solidarity, determination, and willingness to take action.
In late April, Duda, who is nearing the midpoint of his second term set to conclude in mid-2025, intends to host a distinctive Three Seas Summit in Warsaw. He also aims to extend an invitation to the US president for this event.
Exactly 26 years ago today, Poland joined NATO alongside the Czech Republic and Hungary, signifying a significant enlargement of the alliance. These nations were once part of the Warsaw Pact, making this an important milestone in history.
Since then, Poland has emerged as one of the leading nations within the alliance in Europe and a cornerstone of NATO’s eastern frontier.
