U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Poland: USA's commitment to Article 5 of NATO is ironclad

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at the Belweder shorly before 11 a.m. to meet with Poland's President Andrzej Duda. She also took part in plenary talks between both delegations.

After the talks, president Duda said that it was a very important moment for U.S.-Polish relations, as well as for the situation in Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

"(...) Russian forces are demonstrating a barbaric aggression, killing innocent people, civilians, bombing maternity wards, forcing dramatic evacuation of wounded women just before labour," he said.

He added that "no one had expected that we would be seeing such situations in the 21st century". "We welcome it with even greater satisfaction that Ms Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris is here with us in Warsaw, in our country, showing the strength and depth of allied ties, showing firm involvement of the United States in the security of the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance, and Europe as a whole," the president said.

"I'd like stress with all might: there's absolutely no doubt that, together with the United States and our other allies within the NATO, as well as with the whole free and fair world, we stand with Ukraine," president Duda said.

He underscored the importance of United States' government posture, thanking president Biden, vice president Harris, and the Congress understanding the necessity of imposing severe and effective sanctions against Russia.

"When it comes to these sanctions, the United States are in an absolute avant-garde and we must state it clearly: these sanctions do work," Duda said.

He also thanked American organisations for providing support and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

"I would like to also speak directly to the Polish people: I have shared with your president that under his leadership, and your leadership, (it) has been extraordinary. The world has been watching Poland, your leadership Mr President, and the leadership of the people of your country. And we've witnesses extraordinary acts of generosity and kindness," U.S.Vice President said at the press conference.

"We have seen through the images on the television, looking at images of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in support of the dignity and the wellbeing of perfect strangers," she added.

Kamala Harris also expressed gratitude for American citizens, to Andrzej Duda, and all Poles for their attitude. "It really represents the best of who we are," she stressed.

She assured that "the United States' commitment to Article 5 (of the NATO - edit.) is ironclad". "The United States is prepared to defend every inch of the NATO territory. The United States take seriously that an attack against one is an attack against all," Harris underscored.

She also spoke on the necessity to enforce Poland and other allies. She added that two Patriot missile launchers were deliveed to Poland.

Before meeting with president Duda, Kamala Harris spoke with Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"Today's visit by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is not only confirms the strategic Polish-American partnership, but first and foremost, a very concrete talks on sanctions against Russia and enforcing of the NATO's eastern flank," Morawiecki wrote on Facebook after the talks.

He added that "the USA confirms its commitments to us as an ally and assures that Putin will face severe consequences for his aggressive actions". "I'm very glad, that the United States share Poland's view on the issue of full independence from Russian energy resources, and that they were one of the countries to introduce an embargo on it," the prime minister wrote.

Kamala Harris told reporters that she regretted that the circumstances of her visit to Poland were better and thanked for a warm welcome.

She added there was no doubt that the United States, Poland, and the whole NATO were united on many issues, especially the situation in Ukraine, and assured her country's readiness to protect the shared valued, such as sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Harris also said she would discuss with Polish leaders the American commitment to support the region, provide humanitarian aid and security, as well as other efforts necessary to make Russia pay a serious price and face severe consequences for its aggression.