Polish, US presidents meet in Warsaw for talks on Ukraine, regional security
The Polish and US presidents met for talks in Warsaw on Tuesday to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine and the security of the eastern flank of NATO, according to officials.
Polish President Andrzej Duda (right) and US President Joe Biden (left) meet for talks in Warsaw on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.Photo: PAP/Andrzej Lange
The bilateral talks between Poland’s Andrzej Duda and US President Joe Biden began at the presidential palace in Warsaw shortly before 1:30 p.m. local time, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Polish president said in a media interview ahead of his meeting with Biden that he would ask the US leader to send more American soldiers and military equipment to Poland to bolster its security in the wake of Russia’s assault on neighbouring Ukraine.
Biden to make major speech in Warsaw
Later on Tuesday, Biden was expected to make a major address to the Polish people in the gardens of Warsaw’s historic Royal Castle to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The US embassy in Warsaw has said that Biden „will deliver remarks ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, addressing how the United States has rallied the world to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy, and how we will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
While in Poland, Biden is expected to attend a summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) group of eastern-flank NATO allies on Wednesday.
During his visit, Biden will also hold talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and meet with US embassy staff, according to the White House.
Biden arrived in Warsaw late on Monday for a busy two-day trip including talks with the Polish head of state and a meeting with NATO allies to discuss the West’s response to Russia’s nearly year-old invasion of Ukraine.
Surprise trip to Kyiv
Biden landed at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport at around 11:15 p.m. on Monday after earlier making a surprise trip by train to war-torn Ukraine, news outlets reported.
US President Joe Biden touched down in Warsaw late on Monday for a busy two-day trip to discuss the West’s response to Russia’s nearly year-old war against Ukraine. Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz
His unannounced visit to Kyiv was intended as a show of US support for Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion, officials said.
While in Kyiv, the US president met with Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky and promised USD 500 million worth of new military aid to Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky meet in Kyiv on Monday. Photo: EPA/PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY
’Poland has been a strident ally, a tremendous supporter of Ukraine’
John Kirby, the US National Security Council’s Coordinator for Strategic Communications, told the media last week that Biden’s Warsaw trip was designed to highlight Poland’s role in supporting Ukraine.
„Poland has been a strident ally, a tremendous supporter of Ukraine, and a generous host not only to American troops, but millions of Ukrainian refugees who have fled there in safety,” Kirby said.
He added: „The President wants to thank President Duda in person. He wants to thank the Polish people in person. He wants to make broader points about how it’s important for the kind of courage and unity we’re seeing out of Poland and so many NATO Allies continues, sadly, into what will now be a second year of war.”
Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Biden previously visited Poland in March last year, shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine.
In a major speech in Warsaw at the time, he told the world that Vladimir Putin „cannot remain in power” amid Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Tuesday marks the 363rd day of Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info, CNN
