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NATO member Poland safe amid Russia's war on Ukraine: president

04.03.2022 21:30
NATO member Poland, a staunch European ally of the United States, is safe amid Russia's brutal war against Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda said after an hourlong phone call on Friday with US President Joe Biden.
Prezydent Andrzej Duda
Prezydent Andrzej DudaJakub Szymczuk/KPRP

"We are part of NATO and the entire Atlantic Alliance stands firmly behind us,” Duda told reporters after the call, on the ninth day of fighting in Ukraine.

He added that Biden "stressed very strongly" that he was grateful for what Poland was doing to help its eastern neighbour, while also telling the Polish people "that we should rest assured because Article 5 remains in place and the United States and the rest of the Atlantic Alliance guarantee our security."

Article 5 of the Washington Treaty guarantees collective defence by stating that an armed attack against one NATO member state “shall be considered an attack against them all.”

Duda's office said in a tweet that the Polish president and Biden "discussed all the important current topics, including the reconstruction of Ukraine."

The Polish president's office added said that Duda briefed Biden "on the situation on the eastern flank of the Alliance," while Biden "emphasized that he is grateful for what we are doing" and assured Duda "that NATO is behind us."

Reiterating that "Poland's security is guaranteed," Duda appealed to Poles "to continue helping" refugees from war-torn Ukraine.

"Let people tormented by war find a safe place in our country," he said.

Biden praises Poland for taking in 700,000 refugees: White House

Meanwhile, the White House said in a statement that Biden on Friday spoke with Duda "to discuss our countries’ response, in close coordination with our Allies and partners, to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, including ongoing efforts to impose severe consequences on Russia."

It added that Biden "underscored the United States’ commitment to the security of Poland and all of our NATO Allies" and "welcomed Poland’s partnership in hosting 9,000 U.S. forces, including 4,700 additional servicemembers deployed there in recent weeks, to reassure eastern flank Allies, deter Russian aggression against NATO, and stand shoulder to shoulder with their Polish counterparts to maintain security and stability in Europe."

The White House also said that the two leaders "affirmed their commitment to the people of Ukraine, including the importance of providing urgent humanitarian assistance."

Biden thanked Duda "and the people of Poland for their hospitality in hosting and assisting nearly 700,000 Ukrainians and others who have fled the war so far," according to the statement.

(gs)

Source: PAPwhitehouse.gov