Polish President highlights NATO defense spending increase and Ukraine's path to alliance

Andrzej Duda, in an interview with the Polish tabloid "Fakt," emphasized that NATO defense expenditures are increasing. He recalled that as recently as 2016, only five NATO countries allocated 2% of their GDP to defense, whereas today, 23 countries meet this criterion.

Warsaw, July 12, 2024. The presidential plane at Okęcie Airport. Andrzej Duda returned from his visit to Washington, where since Tuesday he participated in the jubilee NATO summit marking the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Minister of Foreign Affairs

(sko) PAP/Radek Pietruszka

The politician also addressed Ukraine's situation and its accession to the Alliance. He stressed that decisions regarding the admission of new NATO members are made cautiously, taking into account public opinion and requiring an evolutionary process.

Duda emphasized that Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" to NATO, mentioning new cooperation initiatives such as the NATO-Ukraine Analysis, Training, and Education Center in Bydgoszcz.

The President expressed hope that the upcoming summit in The Hague could lead to a formal invitation to NATO for Ukraine, which would represent a significant milestone.

Source: PAP

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