Duda: Whoever calls for quick peace deal acting in Kremlin’s favor
Politicians in the West and some foreign leaders, who call for a quick end to the Russo-Ukrainian war and even the termination of military aid to Ukraine are pushing Russia’s bid.
That’s according to Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, who spoke at a joint press conference with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella in Warsaw today, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports.
As the Polish leader emphasized, the current moment is "special" because, in some countries, several leaders uttered words that "cause considerable concern". They suggested the need to end Russia's war against Ukraine as soon as possible, quickly strike a peace agreement, and even terminate military aid to Ukraine because of this.
"As a neighbor of Ukraine, president of Poland, as well as president of a country that is a member of the EU, I’d like to say from our part of Europe: everyone who is today calling for an end to aid to Ukraine, in light of the fact of ongoing Russian aggression, is actually acting in Moscow’s interests, actually acting in the interests of Russia, actually wants Russia to defeat Ukraine. That’s because the superiority of Russia, which is a superpower, over Ukraine is obvious. If Ukraine stops receiving assistance, Russia will win this war, which will be only the first step on Russia’s path to expand its domination over the nations in this part of Europe," Duda emphasized.
According to the president, the Poles are aware from their own history of Russia’s obsession with subjugating and enslaving other peoples, depriving them of their potential, and then exploiting it.
"That's why today we support Ukraine, and we perfectly understand our Ukrainian neighbors, who seek to protect their freedom and independence, their sovereign homeland, at any cost. We support and will continue to support them, and call on the whole world to continue providing assistance to Ukraine until this war ends in no victory for Russia. Russia must win this war: if Russia wins, it will attack other countries," the Polish leader emphasized.
He noted that Italy shares this position on the issue.
"I’m really glad that today, Poland and Italy are participating together in the initiative of preparing the air defense system and handing it over to Ukraine," Duda said.
He added that Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak was negotiating the matter with his Italian counterparts.
In turn, Italian President Mattarella emphasized that he agrees with his Polish colleague that Ukraine should be helped as long as it is needed in the humanitarian and military dimensions, as well as in the field of reconstruction. According to him, if Ukraine is left on its own, it will mean handing it over to Russia.
"We’d like to assure you that we will strive to help Ukraine in every area," Matarella emphasized.
He noted that Italians and Poles are appalled by the barbaric actions of the Russian army in Ukraine, in particular their attacks on civilian objects, "which makes this aggression even more brutal."
Mattarella called it very important that NATO – the United States and European countries – are very supportive of Ukraine in the light of Russian aggression.