Duda told the nation in a televised address on Tuesday evening that a was absolutely crucial to Poland's security and that his country's position on the ongoing war beyond its eastern border has been "constant and unchanging" since the beginning of Russia's full–scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
"For me, the security of Poland and Poles has always been a top priority and an issue that should rise above all political divisions," Duda said in his New Year's Eve address.
He stated emphatically: "This war cannot end in victory for Russia. It must end in a just peace that ensures that another, perhaps even greater, conflict does not break out in the future."
'Our security rests on two pillars'
Duda also said in his address that Poland's security "rests on two pillars: a strong and modern army and the strength of our alliances."
He added: "In Washington in March, I set out a proposal to increase defence spending by all North Atlantic Alliance countries to 3 percent of their GDP. I am pleased that more countries are joining my initiative today. Because only a strong NATO, led by the United States, can guarantee the security of Poland and our entire region."
The president asserted that the Polish people "know very well that there is no secure Europe without the commitment of the United States," both militarily and economically.
That is why the top priority of the Polish presidency of the European Union, which begins on January 1, is to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the United States, Duda said.
"Throughout my presidency, I have consistently sought to strengthen the strategic Polish–American relationship," Duda told Poles. "Today I am proud to say that they are stronger than ever, but I am convinced that in the coming months they can take on an even deeper dimension."
'2025 is a year of presidential elections'
Duda, whose second term as president ends on August 6, 2025, urged citizens to elect a trustworthy successor in 2025 for whom the security of the country will be the overriding priority.
"The coming year 2025 is a year of presidential elections," Duda noted in his message, adding that Poles "will have to decide who we will entrust with the highest office in the land."
He declared that he deeply believed in the wisdom of his fellow citizens.
"I believe that they will entrust the management of Polish affairs to a President who will guard our sovereignty and independence, who will remain faithful to the Constitution, who will support the development of our country and who will effectively seek to realise the Polish raison d'état on the international stage," Duda said.
"All the more so because we are living in turbulent times, the times in which we have learnt that peace and freedom are not given once and for all," he argued. "We must seek to secure them every day. That is why the security of our Homeland must be the most important issue for the future president. No matter to whom we entrust this office."
'It's been a good time for Poland'
Duda also said in his message on Tuesday evening that during the last decade with him as president, Poland "has developed dynamically during this time, we have managed to carry out many extremely important and necessary investments, we have strengthened the Polish Army and the defence of our borders, and Poland's importance on the international stage has also increased significantly."
"As Poles, we have shown that we are a hardworking and enterprising nation, one that has made excellent use of the opportunities that have opened up for us," he added. "It has been a good time for Poland."
The president wished Poles "joy and success" in the new year.
"I wish you every success," he said. "May it be a good and safe time for Poland, a time of joy and success for all of us."
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Source: TVP Info, IAR, PAP, president.pl