Duda hails efforts to bolster Polish, European security at UN
Polish President Andrzej Duda condemned attempts to undermine the international order and endorsed initiatives to strengthen the security of Poland and Europe in his address at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
The Polish president delivered a speech at a special session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where he addressed Russia's imperial ambitions.
"When I was elected President of the Republic of Poland in 2015 – I knew that the attack on Ukraine, which had been carried out by Russia since 2014, was just the beginning of an effort to violently destroy the international order based on international law," Duda remarked, expressing regret that his prediction had come true.
"Today, I look back with satisfaction, but also with relief, at all the initiatives to strengthen the security of Poland and Europe," he said, adding that, without these efforts, the Kremlin could have succeeded in conquering Kyiv and advancing further "towards Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga, or Tallinn."
Duda expressed hope that Europe "will take greater responsibility for its security in cooperation with proven allies."
The president also summarised his previous policies at the United Nations.
"From the beginning of my presidency, I wanted Poland to be perceived not only as a recipient but also as a provider of security," he said, citing the country's activity in NATO and other international formats, including its relationship with the US. (PAP)
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