(Vancouver) Polish President Andrzej Duda has asked members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including Canada, to increase their defense spending to 3% of their GDP, to prevent Russian war in Ukraine to expand.
Duda made the comments during a speech Friday in Vancouver, a day before meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Without naming Canada, Duda says the West has “a lot of gaps” in its industrial base to provide military aid to Ukraine in its defense against Russia, a problem that must be resolved if it is to be resolved. deter threats from Moscow.
The Polish head of state announced that he first raised the idea of NATO members increasing their defense spending by 2-3% of GDP during a visit to the United States in March, and that he would re-emphasize the subject at a NATO summit in Washington in July.
In 2022, Canada spent 1.2% of its GDP on its military. The last time it was at 2% was in 1990.
Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has increased its defense spending to 4% of GDP and is a major provider of military aid to its neighbor.
Duda says Baltic and Eastern European countries close to the front lines of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict need support to prop up Ukraine, and called on other allies to help cause “a loss “obvious military” for Moscow.
PHOTO TIJANA MARTIN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has increased its defense spending to 4% of GDP.
They only understand this language. Unfortunately, they don’t care much about Western sanctions and falling living standards.
Andrzej Duda, Polish President
When the question of what Canada could do to support Poland in its efforts was asked, Mr. Duda recounted a conversation with Mr. Trudeau, about a week before the conflict between Russia and Ukraine erupted.
The Canadian prime minister was concerned about Poland’s “tough policy” against illegal immigration and what he said could be the impact if Ukrainian refugees invaded Polish borders during a war.
The Polish leader says his policy against illegal immigration and the subsequent opening of borders to Ukrainian refugees reflects a common principle that Poland has an obligation to its allies and partners.
“Don’t forget that we are responsible for the border of the European Union and the Schengen zone,” recalls Mr. Duda, referring to the border area around the European Union.
“We must protect this border not only in our own interests, but also in the interests of European obligations. »
He adds that Poland believes Russia would move west if Ukraine fell, with the Baltic states and Poland in its immediate path. Even if the country is prepared, this does not exclude the need for other NATO members to prepare as well.
“Unfortunately, yes, we are ready,” he regrets. But we are also aware that we must strengthen our military capabilities. »
“We need new tanks with advanced technology, new howitzers, new helicopters. What we buy from the United States, from American industry, from South Korean industry, (it’s) because we need it. »
Mr. Duda arrived in Canada from the United States, where he met earlier this week with former US President Donald Trump in New York in what the Polish leader described as a “friendly meeting in a very pleasant atmosphere.”
PHOTO STEFAN JEREMIAH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump and Andrzej Duda earlier this week
US funding to provide more aid to Ukraine has been blocked by Mr Trump’s allies in Congress.
reference: www.lapresse.ca