President Duda: a secure Europe, is a Europe where Russia is defeated

"After February 24th, the Europe we knew and we were building has changed forever. Common values that we strived for – unity, solidarity, peace, trust, and primacy of international law – were put to a difficult test," president Duda said at "The Idea of Europe" conference in Kaunas.

He stressed that the war in Ukraine caused by Russia, with the help from Belarus, made the citizens of Europe concerned about their safety, future, and peace. "However, we are strong keeping the unity within the European Union and NATO, and ready to respond rationally to a threat," he added.

"I’m convinced today that the idea of Europe should also include the strengthening of our defence capabilities. Europe must be united and must be strong," Duda said.

Polish president added that "Ukraine’s successes depends not only on the courage of Ukrainians, but also on coordinated international assistance, including the military one".

"A secure Europe, is a Europe where Russia is defeated political, military, and economic way. A defeated Russia means safe Ukraine, safe Poland, safe Lithuania, safe Latvia, Romania, and frankly, also the rest of Europe," he stressed.

"Recently, the word "freedom" has acquired a new dimension. Everyday Ukrainians are fighting for freedom from the invaders. Belarusians are also fighting for freedom and democracy, fighting against their authoritarian regime, against Lukashenko’s regime" - president Duda stressed.

"We support them, because the free and strong society of Belarus will one day be able to resist the oppression of its Russian neighbour."

"We, as Europe, are fighting the effects of pandemic and the serious economic crisis. We are working hard to achieve energy freedom, thanks to which we will become independent of Russian raw materials. The future of Europe requires a decisive and courageous method as ever before," the president said.

"We are in favour of European integration, but a European integration conducted reasonably and with respect for the opinion, equal rule, and sovereignty of each member state," he added.

The president that Ukrainians and citizens of Balkan countries as well as Moldovans all long to become members of the EU.

"Poland supports the enlargement policy of the European Union and the aspirations of our partners. We know that their stability and security is related to the security, stability, and harmony of the entire Europe and the entire union," Andrzej Duda said.