Polish President Andrzej Duda gave an interview to CNBC on Monday, during which he urged NATO members to reinforce the Transatlantic Alliance’s defence capabilities. 

The Polish Head of State reiterated his plea for NATO members to enhance their military contributions to 3%, prompted by emerging intelligence suggesting Moscow’s readiness to direct its attention towards the military alliance within the next two to three years.

Citing unspecified German research, Duda pointed to fresh evidence indicating Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reinforcement of a war-oriented economy, possibly to target NATO by 2026 or 2027. These findings follow Danish intelligence reports from February, which hinted at a potential Russian assault on NATO within three to five years. Verification of the contents of these reports by CNBC was unattainable.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said Monday that NATO must urgently ramp up its defense spending to ensure it does not become the next target of Russian aggression. https://t.co/VCBM38XAHP

— CNBC International (@CNBCi) March 19, 2024

„We have a window of two or three years to intensify our efforts, stockpile ammunition, and manufacture weaponry to optimise European security, preparing ourselves to avert any invasion” Duda told CNBC. „All these measures must be taken to avoid engaging in conflict. The objective is to establish such a deterrent that safeguards us against attack. This is paramount because none of us desires war,” he added.

The Polish president, whose country shares a border with Ukraine, has been at the forefront of advocating for arms supply to Kyiv since the onset of Russia’s invasion. Poland has also reinforced its own military capabilities, elevating its defence spending in 2023 to nearly 4% of GDP, surpassing even the US in percentage terms.

https://twitter.com/prezydentpl/status/1770067867217563930

Asked about the delay in Congress providing assistance to Ukraine, Duda refrained from commenting directly, but underscored the significance of every dollar contributed to Ukraine in thwarting a Russian victory. „It is imperative to halt this Russian aggression at any cost. If left unchecked, it will inevitably spill over, and then, I fear, U.S. funds alone won’t suffice; U.S. troops will have to intervene, a scenario no one desires” – he underlined. 

Image: X (@prezydent.pl)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen