Paweł Soloch’s words came at the Western military alliance’s key summit in Madrid, Spain, Polish state news agency PAP reported on Thursday.
Soloch, who is national security advisor to Polish President Andrzej Duda, told reporters: “Key NATO documents have been endorsed and NATO leaders also adopted the summit declaration, with very active involvement from the Polish president and our delegation.”
NATO identifies Russia as 'most significant and direct threat'
Soloch said that, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s new strategic concept no longer referred to Russia as a “partner,” but described Moscow as “the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.”
Stronger eastern flank
Moreover, NATO adopted conclusions that “are intended to lead to further troop increases on the eastern flank,” Soloch said, stressing that this was what President Duda and the Polish delegation had advocated.
He added that NATO battlegroups on the eastern flank would be enhanced to brigade level “where and when required,” and the alliance would also respond militarily if the territorial integrity of any of its members was violated.
Permanent US presence in Poland
Soloch also said he welcomed US President Joe Biden’s announcement on Wednesday that Washington would create a permanent headquarters for the US Army's V Corps in Poland.
“It’s not just about a few hundred additional officers, but also about a readiness to receive corps-size reinforcements in the case of a threat, that is, dozens of thousands of soldiers,” he told reporters.
NATO invites Finland, Sweden, to join, supports Ukraine
Soloch hailed NATO’s invitation for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, and the pact’s pledge to assist members who provide support to Ukraine.
At the request of the Polish president, the summit declaration said: “We welcome efforts of all Allies engaged in providing support to Ukraine. We will assist them adequately, recognising their specific situation,” according to officials.
Soloch commented: “First and foremost, we draw satisfaction from the fact that our demands have been met. We treat it as a process, we expect the declarations to be translated into detailed guidelines and policies.”
NATO’s Madrid summit runs until Thursday.
Thursday is day 127 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, niezalezna.pl