Tusk at meeting with Rutte: NATO must be prepared to respond to any outcome of US-Russia talks
Kyiv • UNN
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the importance of the Alliance's collective defense. Tusk stressed the importance of NATO and Poland's readiness to respond to any outcomes of peace talks between the US and Russia. He added that any settlement must guarantee the sovereignty of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the principle of collective defense of the alliance, while the Polish Prime Minister stated the importance of NATO and Poland being able to respond to anything that comes out of US-led peace negotiations with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine, UNN writes, citing The Guardian.
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Speaking after a meeting in Warsaw, Tusk said it was important that NATO and Poland be able to respond to any outcome of US-led peace talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine, amid his recognition that Europeans have "a limited, to put it mildly" influence on these discussions.
According to him, any "fair" peaceful settlement must have strong guarantees of Ukraine's sovereignty in the future.
He also stressed the importance of NATO's collective defense principle enshrined in Article 5 and the alliance's "crucial" commitment to defend Poland on this basis, and spoke about the country's efforts to protect its eastern border with Belarus.
Rutte praised Poland for spending 4.7% of its GDP on defense, the highest level among NATO allies, and said other countries should follow its example.
"Let's not forget that Russia is and remains the most significant and dark threat to our alliance. Let's not forget that Russia is moving to a wartime economy. And this will have a huge impact on their potential and ability to build their armed forces," he said.
He also reiterated his promise to defend Poland or any other NATO country in the event of any attack.
"When it comes to defending Poland and the overall defense of NATO territory, if someone miscalculates and thinks they can get away with attacking Poland or any other ally, they will face the full force of this fierce alliance. Our reaction will be devastating. (...) to vladimir vladimirovich putin and anyone else who... wants to attack us, this should be very clear," he stressed.
"One for all, all for one! NATO Secretary General confirmed full security guarantees for Poland, supported the "Eastern Shield" and joint patrols of the Baltic Sea, and called Russia the main threat to the entire Alliance. Safe Poland is our top priority," Tusk wrote in X following talks with Rutte.