President Duda after National Security Council session: I was not disappointed

"I was not disappointed," president Duda said after Thursday's session of the National Security Council. "So far, whenever the Council was called, especially since the Russian invasion into Ukraine, all politicians, the whole spectrum of our political scene acted very responsibly. It's clear the question of Poland's security is close to everyone's heart and everyone treats this matter very seriously," he added.

The president also thanked the participants for raising "important questions" and "constructive attitude". "We've discussed everything in detail, answering all the questions," he said, adding that the decisions taken at the NATO summit in Vilnius had been "relayed in detail across the whole spectrum of our political scene".

"Just like there is unity in NATO, I may firmly say there is full responsibility across the political scene with regards to Poland's security - especially in terms of the military side. A very focused, serious attitude. I'm grateful to all politicians for it. After all we do have the election campaign, but in that room today I have seen a very, very reliable attitude of the whole political spectrum, for which I'm grateful," Duda said.

The Council was attented, among others, by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Senate Speaker Tomasz Grodzki. Civic Coalition was represented by Tomasz Siemoniak, The Left - by Adrian Zandberg, PSL - by Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, and Confederation - by Krzysztof Bosak.

"This summit was indeed important, it was a summit of decisions, although if we look at it through limited knowledge of regular citizens, we might say that really nothing that spectacular happened," president Duda said.

"Indeed, the summit's decisions are very important. If we consider that for the first time since the Cold War NATO has approved its long-prepared defence plans ... then it is a significant change," he added.

The president also stressed that in order for member states to be safe, "NATO's reaction must immediate, swift, and firm". He added that although not so long ago it had seemed inconceivable, NATO's rapid response forces "will have approx. 300,000 soldiers, which is a really large contingent".

"We postulated strengthening of NATO air defence and such a decision has been made," Duda said, explaining that the Allied air defence would be bolstered by rotation monitoring of the potential danger zone, that is the eastern flank. "NATO air forces will constantly operate and strengthen the Alliance in our region," he added.

The National Security Council also discussed potential danger coming from Belarus, especially in the context of the relocation of Russian nuclear weapons to that country.

Members of the world's most powerful military bloc offered the prospect of long-term protection a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy decried as "absurd" a refusal to offer an invitation or timetable for Ukraine's entry into NATO.

Ukraine has been pushing for rapid membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

Instead, a declaration by the G7 group of the world's most industrialised countries launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again.

"Our support will last long into the future. It's a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine," Biden said alongside Zelenskiy and leaders of the G7, which is made up of the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Later in a speech at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Biden said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the U.S.-led military alliance.

"NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Biden said.

"When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He thought NATO would break. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong."

Swallowing his disappointment over the lack of a membership timetable, Zelenskiy called the outcome a "meaningful success" following a flurry of announcements of military aid for Kyiv.

"Today there are security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO," he said. "The Ukraine delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for Ukraine."

Nevertheless, Zelenskiy pressed for more and said he would raise Ukraine's need for long-range weapons at a meeting with Biden at the summit.

"We can state that the results of the summit are good, but if there was an invitation, they would be ideal," he added.

At the bilateral meeting, Biden promised Zelenskiy the U.S. was doing everything it could to meet Ukraine's needs and acknowledged Zelenskiy's frustration about the scale and speed of support.

"Your resilience and your resolve has been a model for the whole world to see," Biden said. "I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO."

"The bad news for you is, we're not going anywhere. You're stuck with us," Biden joked, prompting laughter from Zelenskiy.

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