National Assembly to mark the 23rd anniversary of Poland's accession to NATO

March 13, 2022
12:10 pm

Polish President Andrzej Duda, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski and Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Jens Stoltenberg addressed MPs and senators gathered at a solemn assembly to mark the 23rd anniversary of Poland's membership in NATO. The proceedings held on Friday, March 11, ended with the reading of unanimous anniversary resolutions adopted by the Sejm and the Senate. The main topic of the politicians' speeches was the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

14_PAD_Zgromadzenie_Narodowe_20220311_JS__8978.jpg [192.14 KB] — **Address of the President before the National Assembly**

The National Assembly always takes place at exceptional moments for Poland. This is also the case today, on the eve of an extremely important anniversary, the anniversary of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary joining the North Atlantic Alliance. On March 12, 1999, the post-Yalta world order and its division into spheres of influence finally ended. By joining NATO, we fully joined the Western community. We have always been part of it culturally. We have also joined it politically and militarily. This is a great event for Poland, for Europe, and for the world.
Today, unfortunately, is not a moment for joyful celebration. We are meeting at a dramatic time. At the moment of the greatest global security crisis since the end of World War II. Russia's unprovoked attack on independent Ukraine has shocked the world. For more than two weeks, the Ukrainian army and people have put up heroic resistance to the invaders.
Our neighbors are setting an example to the whole world of what true courage and love of our shared values of freedom, sovereignty, and democracy is. They are paying the highest possible price for this - Ukrainian cities are being bombed, residential homes, blocks of flats, schools and hospitals are being attacked and destroyed, people are dying. Civilians are dying. The enormity of the misery. The attacks by the Russian invaders have the hallmarks of genocide - because this is what happens when you deliberately shoot at settlements where there are no military installations, just to kill people, ordinary civilians who are not fighting. We must do everything to make the perpetrators, the war criminals, answer for this before international courts. This is today a question of to be or not to be and the dignity or shame of the international community.
Vladimir Putin, in instigating this cruel war, appealed directly to the legacy of the Soviet Union. To this "Empire of Evil", as the American president and great friend of Poland Ronald Reagan once called it. What Russia is doing in Ukraine shows that it is still this "Evil Empire", that it has never left history and today it is once again showing its worst face!
It is worth recalling at this point the significant words of Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski: "Without Ukraine Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine subjugated and overpowered it automatically becomes an empire. Russia can be either an empire or a democracy, but it cannot be both." We see clearly and distinctly today what Russia has chosen, and we see clearly and distinctly what Ukraine has chosen and is defending. It defends freedom, it defends democracy, it defends a fair world.
No one better understands the pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people than we, the Poles, who have suffered so much throughout our history. Especially in the 20th century. Polish soldiers fought on all fronts of the Second World War - from Narvik to Tobruk, from the Battle of Britain to Monte Cassino and Berlin. We remember the heroism of the Home Army and the Warsaw Insurgents. We have before our eyes the ruins of the Polish capital, Warsaw, razed to the ground by Nazi Germany.
That is why from here, from Poland, from Warsaw, there is a constant appeal to the whole free world: We cannot allow Russia to conquer free, independent and democratic Ukraine. We must increase our efforts and support for the fighting Ukrainian people. Let Kiev and other Ukrainian cities not share the fate of demolished Warsaw. Let us stop this evil! This is a call to the entire free world.
Dear Sirs,
Dear Compatriots!
Despite a long and heroic struggle on all fronts of World War II, Poland found itself in the Soviet sphere of influence as a result of the Yalta Agreement. Against our will we were separated from the free world by the Iron Curtain. The generation of our grandparents, our parents, and many of those present here dreamed of changing the course of history. The peaceful revolution of Solidarity, the regaining of our country's sovereignty after 1989, and finally the collapse of the Soviet Union made it possible. This history was complemented by successful efforts to make Poland join the North Atlantic Alliance. Our dream came true. The dream of generations came true.
When at the beginning of the 1990s, precisely in 1991 and 1992, Prime Minister Jan Olszewski, from this very spot, was the first to announce Poland's efforts to join NATO, many considered it an impossible challenge. After all, Soviet troops were still stationed in our country at that time. At that time, Poland was not short of heated disputes concerning the settlement of the past and the assessment of the often difficult present. However, thanks to the common effort of the whole political class, Poland's accession to NATO was excluded from the political dispute and this great work was successfully carried out. The fact that talks about our participation in the Alliance were started by President Lech Wałęsa and finished by his election rival, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, may serve as a symbol.
It is also the enormous effort of all successive Polish governments, from the right to the left, the enormous contribution of Polish diplomacy and the Polish military. For this unity in pursuit of this great goal, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have contributed to it. Your conduct is a model for us.

When on March 12, 1999, in Independence, Poland's Foreign Minister Bronisław Geremek handed over the act of Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, we could all feel a sense of great satisfaction. Earlier, on February 11, the Sejm passed the ratification act. A week later, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski signed it, and on 23 February, Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek countersigned the ratification act of the North Atlantic Treaty. It was a historic moment, an extraordinary moment in the history of our homeland.
Let us remember, however, that the idea of admitting Poland and other former Eastern Bloc countries to NATO did not immediately meet with universal support in the West. Therefore, strong support from the United States of America was crucial here. And this also regardless of political colors. We started the talks with the Republican administration of President George Bush Senior, and the whole process of joining NATO was accomplished during the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton, who said here in Warsaw, at Castle Square: "Today Poland joins NATO. Poland takes its place in the community of democracies. Never again will your fate be decided by others. Never again will the right to freedom be denied to you. Poland is coming home!".
That's what President Bill Clinton said at the time, and that's what happened. Yes, we came home. Because sovereign and independent Poland is and always will be the home of freedom and democracy. And we will defend this home with all our might!
At that time, we could count on the support of many tried and tested friends of Poland, including the current President of the United States. Let me remind you that back in the 1990s, Joe Biden, then a Senator - an influential member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was one of the leaders of support for Poland's entry into NATO in the American Congress. He described Poland's entry into the North Atlantic Alliance as "erasing the historic injustice done to Poland by Joseph Stalin." Mr. President, Poland thanks you!
However, it should be strongly emphasized at this point that with this "historical injustice done to us by Stalin", as Joe Biden said, and as we know very well, Poles have never come to terms. Also during the times of Soviet domination over our lands. Many were forced to make dramatic choices, and had to show heroism. A symbol of this was the great Polish patriot, the first really Polish officer in NATO, Colonel Ryszard Kuklinski, today, posthumously, since 2016, Brigadier General. I was met with the honor of being able to confer this rank of brigadier general posthumously on Mr. Colonel. But I want to thank here today the then Minister of National Defence, Mr. Antoni Macierewicz, for his initiative in this matter. Thank you, Minister. It is a question of Poland's honour.
The contribution of Colonel General Ryszard Kuklinski to Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance will never be forgotten. Just like the merits of many Poles who were thrown beyond the borders of our homeland, but who greatly contributed to the cause of Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. Such as the former director of the Polish section of Radio Free Europe, the legendary courier from Warsaw Jan Nowak-Jeziorański, who, as the representative of the Polish American Congress, was intensively lobbying the White House and the Congress to support our membership. Or the already mentioned prominent strategist Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security advisor to US President Jimmy Carter. Jan Nowak-Jeziorański and Zbigniew Brzeziński were the best ambassadors of our affairs in the United States. So was the whole Polish community, especially the American one, whose contribution to this work - the work of Polish freedom - cannot be overestimated.
How symbolic it is that today, at a time when the security of not only Europe but of the world is once again under serious threat, the United States' ambassador to Poland is the very son of Professor Mark Brzezinski. Mr. Ambassador, thank you for your presence!
Dear Sirs,
Dear Compatriots!
Poland is safe. By joining NATO, we became part of the largest defense alliance in the history of the world. An alliance which is based on the defence of common values and for over 70 years has been providing security to its members, providing it in an unwavering manner. In accordance with the principle stemming directly from Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - "one for all, all for one".
And as Poland we are always ready to fulfil our commitments. We have proven time and again that we can be counted on. Fighting side by side with the U.S. Army and other armies of the alliance, whether in Iraq or in Afghanistan. Poland's membership in NATO is a symbol of our national unity. Today, the support for membership in the Polish society is one of the highest in the entire North Atlantic Alliance.
Security is ensured by the strength of alliances, but first of all by the strength of our own army. Therefore, we have been modernizing and developing the Polish army for years. We strengthen the defense capabilities and strengthen our army. We are rebuilding it.
However, the current situation requires increased efforts from all of us. Therefore, the Parliament is currently working on a law on the defense of the homeland, which assumes the expansion, as well as a significant increase in spending on the development and modernization of the Polish army to 3 percent of GDP already next year. This is an absolute priority for our country and our society. You can see it today.
I thank Members of Parliament and Senators from all sides of the political scene for their declarations and support for the bill on the defence of the homeland. I hope that the issues related to the security of Poland and the development of our armed forces will be the issues around which we will manage to build a cross-party agreement, to exclude them from the political dispute, just like the membership in the North Atlantic Alliance 20 years ago, when Poland tried to join NATO.
The Polish army must not only be more numerous, but also perfectly armed and equipped. So that the Polish soldier can serve effectively and safely. I talked about this recently with the President of the United States Joe Biden, and also yesterday during my visit to Warsaw with the Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.
Cooperation with the United States has never been as good as it is today. The success of the 2016 NATO summit in Warsaw meant that the alliance's eastern flank was significantly strengthened, with American soldiers permanently stationed in Poland.
Today Poland is in NATO, and NATO troops are present in our homeland! This is an extremely important, historical change for us. It is an obvious sign that we are no longer a Soviet sphere of influence and, I deeply believe, we never will be.
Strategic Polish-American relations are developing regardless of who sits in the White House. The decision on the presence of U.S. troops in Poland was made by President Barack Obama and his administration, during Donald Trump's presidency there was a significant increase in the number of U.S. troops, and today this process is being continued by President Joe Biden and his colleagues. This is extremely important for the security of our country and the entire region.
In order to further strengthen cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, we established the Bucharest Nine - nine NATO members from Central Europe, among whom we work together, preparing for future NATO summits. We also created the Tri-Moor Initiative, which brings together the countries of the European Union and Central Europe between the three seas: the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the Black Sea. Thanks to this our voice, the voice of the countries of Central Europe, is more and more clearly heard on the forums of both NATO and the European Union. All these elements make up the security architecture. Each of them is extremely important, and we must work on each of them together. For the security of Poland and the entire region.
The need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank is well understood by the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. It is also thanks to his work, kindness, enormous determination and understanding of the threats that we are today much better prepared to face the challenge of Russia's aggression against a free and independent Ukraine and Russia's threat to the free world.
I would like to thank Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sincerely for this. We will always remember this in Poland and throughout Central and Eastern Europe!

Dear Compatriots,
Dear Sirs!
On February 24, we woke up in a completely different world, in a new reality. Many of the theses proclaimed on the international forum were brutally overturned that day, I would even say: trampled on. Also those relating to the North Atlantic Alliance. It was said that the alliance has lost its raison d'etre. Everyone can now see clearly and distinctly that this is not true. One can see how deeply all those who claimed this were wrong.
We, the Poles and representatives of other countries in our region, were right to warn the West against Russian imperialism, against becoming dependent on Russian raw materials, which will be used as weapons in a possible conflict, against limiting the role of the United States in Europe, against attempts to oppose NATO and the European Union.
However, this is no time for bitter satisfaction and triumphalism. The most important thing today is unity, unity and unity once again. Both within the alliance and within the European Union. Therefore, I will repeat once again: it is equally important for Poland to be in NATO and in the European Union. These are the foundations of our security. This is the Polish raison d'état!
This was perfectly understood by the President of the Republic of Poland, Professor Lech Kaczyński. That is why he also strove for this for the countries in our region. We all remember how he fought for the right of Ukraine and Georgia to become members of NATO and the European Union. Before the 2008 summit of the alliance, he sent a special letter to the leaders in which he recalled the circumstances of the admission of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO in 1955. Just 10 years after World War II. He wrote at the time: "Germany's situation was far more complicated than that of Ukraine or Georgia today. Some countries did not yet recognize the borders of the German states drawn after World War II. But NATO was then able to take the courageous decision to admit West Germany. The most important enlargement decision in the history of the alliance," wrote President Lech Kaczyński.
If President Lech Kaczyński had been listened to at the time, if courageous decisions had been made, if the naive attitude not to irritate Russia had not prevailed, Ukraine would be in NATO today. The aggression of 2014 would probably never have happened, and the current war would probably not have happened either. History would have turned out differently.
Today, every day, the Ukrainian army and people are fighting an uneven battle against the Russian aggressor, showing great heroism, proving that they fully deserve membership in the alliance. The courageous leadership of President Volodymyr Zelensky embodies all the values on which the Western community is founded. The free world today has the face of President Volodymyr Zelensky!
But it must be up to the Ukrainian people and the leaders of Ukraine to decide whether Ukraine will be in NATO. These are the principles of democracy in which, I believe deeply, a free, sovereign, independent Ukraine will continue, as I believe it will prevail. It is they, the Ukrainians, who must have the right to decide whether or not they want to be part of the alliance after the war is over or whether they will choose another way to ensure their security. No one has the right to make that decision for them. There is not and will never be our consent to a new Yalta!
Dear Compatriots!
Dear Sirs!
By bestially attacking Ukraine, Vladimir Putin wants to bring about a new world order. He wants to reverse the course of history. As he himself says - to restore the time before 1997. Before the decision to expand NATO eastward. In fact, he would like to return to the times of the Soviet Union and the division of Europe into spheres of influence. He also wants to divide the world.
However, Russian aggression against Ukraine had exactly the opposite effect. It reunited the entire transatlantic community. It has demonstrated the importance of NATO and the importance of the American presence in Europe. It reaffirmed U.S. leadership in global security. It led to a change in the policy of the European Union, as well as its largest countries, towards Russia. It has united public opinion in Europe, as well as the societies of Western countries. I don't know if this is how Vladimir Putin imagined his success.
The answer to this great evil that Vladimir Putin and Russia brought to Ukraine and Europe became a great good here in our country. From the first hours, Poles opened their hearts and rushed to help their Ukrainian brothers in need. I bow my head before millions of our compatriots, who every day are responding with good to evil - they are trying with all their hearts to erase this evil, welcoming refugees into their homes, helping with transport, organizing collections, charity actions, as well as donating gifts and paying funds to help Ukraine.
Seeing the heroism of the Ukrainian people fighting for the freedom of their homeland, for their homes, for the safety and future of their children, but also seeing the solidarity of the Poles and other nations - I deeply believe that good will win! Goodness must prevail!
I believe that Ukraine will defend itself against Russian aggression, that millions of its citizens will be able to return to their homes, which together as the West we will help to rebuild; that Ukraine will join the European Union, in which we will support it always and everywhere.
I believe that the values that we share will prevail. Values on which the entire western community is built, and which the North Atlantic Alliance is supposed to defend!
Long live the North Atlantic Alliance!
Long live free Ukraine!

17_PAD_Zgromadzenie_Narodowe_20220311_JSZ_9097.jpg [305.08 KB] — **Address of the President before the National Assembly**

The National Assembly always takes place at exceptional moments for Poland. This is also the case today, on the eve of an extremely important anniversary, the anniversary of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary joining the North Atlantic Alliance. On March 12, 1999, the post-Yalta world order and its division into spheres of influence finally ended. By joining NATO, we fully joined the Western community. We have always been part of it culturally. We have also joined it politically and militarily. This is a great event for Poland, for Europe, and for the world.
Today, unfortunately, is not a moment for joyful celebration. We are meeting at a dramatic time. At the moment of the greatest global security crisis since the end of World War II. Russia's unprovoked attack on independent Ukraine has shocked the world. For more than two weeks, the Ukrainian army and people have put up heroic resistance to the invaders.
Our neighbors are setting an example to the whole world of what true courage and love of our shared values of freedom, sovereignty, and democracy is. They are paying the highest possible price for this - Ukrainian cities are being bombed, residential homes, blocks of flats, schools and hospitals are being attacked and destroyed, people are dying. Civilians are dying. The enormity of the misery. The attacks by the Russian invaders have the hallmarks of genocide - because this is what happens when you deliberately shoot at settlements where there are no military installations, just to kill people, ordinary civilians who are not fighting. We must do everything to make the perpetrators, the war criminals, answer for this before international courts. This is today a question of to be or not to be and the dignity or shame of the international community.
Vladimir Putin, in instigating this cruel war, appealed directly to the legacy of the Soviet Union. To this "Empire of Evil", as the American president and great friend of Poland Ronald Reagan once called it. What Russia is doing in Ukraine shows that it is still this "Evil Empire", that it has never left history and today it is once again showing its worst face!
It is worth recalling at this point the significant words of Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski: "Without Ukraine Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine subjugated and overpowered it automatically becomes an empire. Russia can be either an empire or a democracy, but it cannot be both." We see clearly and distinctly today what Russia has chosen, and we see clearly and distinctly what Ukraine has chosen and is defending. It defends freedom, it defends democracy, it defends a fair world.
No one better understands the pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people than we, the Poles, who have suffered so much throughout our history. Especially in the 20th century. Polish soldiers fought on all fronts of the Second World War - from Narvik to Tobruk, from the Battle of Britain to Monte Cassino and Berlin. We remember the heroism of the Home Army and the Warsaw Insurgents. We have before our eyes the ruins of the Polish capital, Warsaw, razed to the ground by Nazi Germany.
That is why from here, from Poland, from Warsaw, there is a constant appeal to the whole free world: We cannot allow Russia to conquer free, independent and democratic Ukraine. We must increase our efforts and support for the fighting Ukrainian people. Let Kiev and other Ukrainian cities not share the fate of demolished Warsaw. Let us stop this evil! This is a call to the entire free world.
Dear Sirs,
Dear Compatriots!
Despite a long and heroic struggle on all fronts of World War II, Poland found itself in the Soviet sphere of influence as a result of the Yalta Agreement. Against our will we were separated from the free world by the Iron Curtain. The generation of our grandparents, our parents, and many of those present here dreamed of changing the course of history. The peaceful revolution of Solidarity, the regaining of our country's sovereignty after 1989, and finally the collapse of the Soviet Union made it possible. This history was complemented by successful efforts to make Poland join the North Atlantic Alliance. Our dream came true. The dream of generations came true.
When at the beginning of the 1990s, precisely in 1991 and 1992, Prime Minister Jan Olszewski, from this very spot, was the first to announce Poland's efforts to join NATO, many considered it an impossible challenge. After all, Soviet troops were still stationed in our country at that time. At that time, Poland was not short of heated disputes concerning the settlement of the past and the assessment of the often difficult present. However, thanks to the common effort of the whole political class, Poland's accession to NATO was excluded from the political dispute and this great work was successfully carried out. The fact that talks about our participation in the Alliance were started by President Lech Wałęsa and finished by his election rival, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, may serve as a symbol.
It is also the enormous effort of all successive Polish governments, from the right to the left, the enormous contribution of Polish diplomacy and the Polish military. For this unity in pursuit of this great goal, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have contributed to it. Your conduct is a model for us.

When on March 12, 1999, in Independence, Poland's Foreign Minister Bronisław Geremek handed over the act of Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, we could all feel a sense of great satisfaction. Earlier, on February 11, the Sejm passed the ratification act. A week later, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski signed it, and on 23 February, Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek countersigned the ratification act of the North Atlantic Treaty. It was a historic moment, an extraordinary moment in the history of our homeland.
Let us remember, however, that the idea of admitting Poland and other former Eastern Bloc countries to NATO did not immediately meet with universal support in the West. Therefore, strong support from the United States of America was crucial here. And this also regardless of political colors. We started the talks with the Republican administration of President George Bush Senior, and the whole process of joining NATO was accomplished during the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton, who said here in Warsaw, at Castle Square: "Today Poland joins NATO. Poland takes its place in the community of democracies. Never again will your fate be decided by others. Never again will the right to freedom be denied to you. Poland is coming home!".
That's what President Bill Clinton said at the time, and that's what happened. Yes, we came home. Because sovereign and independent Poland is and always will be the home of freedom and democracy. And we will defend this home with all our might!
At that time, we could count on the support of many tried and tested friends of Poland, including the current President of the United States. Let me remind you that back in the 1990s, Joe Biden, then a Senator - an influential member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was one of the leaders of support for Poland's entry into NATO in the American Congress. He described Poland's entry into the North Atlantic Alliance as "erasing the historic injustice done to Poland by Joseph Stalin." Mr. President, Poland thanks you!
However, it should be strongly emphasized at this point that with this "historical injustice done to us by Stalin", as Joe Biden said, and as we know very well, Poles have never come to terms. Also during the times of Soviet domination over our lands. Many were forced to make dramatic choices, and had to show heroism. A symbol of this was the great Polish patriot, the first really Polish officer in NATO, Colonel Ryszard Kuklinski, today, posthumously, since 2016, Brigadier General. I was met with the honor of being able to confer this rank of brigadier general posthumously on Mr. Colonel. But I want to thank here today the then Minister of National Defence, Mr. Antoni Macierewicz, for his initiative in this matter. Thank you, Minister. It is a question of Poland's honour.
The contribution of Colonel General Ryszard Kuklinski to Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance will never be forgotten. Just like the merits of many Poles who were thrown beyond the borders of our homeland, but who greatly contributed to the cause of Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. Such as the former director of the Polish section of Radio Free Europe, the legendary courier from Warsaw Jan Nowak-Jeziorański, who, as the representative of the Polish American Congress, was intensively lobbying the White House and the Congress to support our membership. Or the already mentioned prominent strategist Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security advisor to US President Jimmy Carter. Jan Nowak-Jeziorański and Zbigniew Brzeziński were the best ambassadors of our affairs in the United States. So was the whole Polish community, especially the American one, whose contribution to this work - the work of Polish freedom - cannot be overestimated.
How symbolic it is that today, at a time when the security of not only Europe but of the world is once again under serious threat, the United States' ambassador to Poland is the very son of Professor Mark Brzezinski. Mr. Ambassador, thank you for your presence!
Dear Sirs,
Dear Compatriots!
Poland is safe. By joining NATO, we became part of the largest defense alliance in the history of the world. An alliance which is based on the defence of common values and for over 70 years has been providing security to its members, providing it in an unwavering manner. In accordance with the principle stemming directly from Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - "one for all, all for one".
And as Poland we are always ready to fulfil our commitments. We have proven time and again that we can be counted on. Fighting side by side with the U.S. Army and other armies of the alliance, whether in Iraq or in Afghanistan. Poland's membership in NATO is a symbol of our national unity. Today, the support for membership in the Polish society is one of the highest in the entire North Atlantic Alliance.
Security is ensured by the strength of alliances, but first of all by the strength of our own army. Therefore, we have been modernizing and developing the Polish army for years. We strengthen the defense capabilities and strengthen our army. We are rebuilding it.
However, the current situation requires increased efforts from all of us. Therefore, the Parliament is currently working on a law on the defense of the homeland, which assumes the expansion, as well as a significant increase in spending on the development and modernization of the Polish army to 3 percent of GDP already next year. This is an absolute priority for our country and our society. You can see it today.
I thank Members of Parliament and Senators from all sides of the political scene for their declarations and support for the bill on the defence of the homeland. I hope that the issues related to the security of Poland and the development of our armed forces will be the issues around which we will manage to build a cross-party agreement, to exclude them from the political dispute, just like the membership in the North Atlantic Alliance 20 years ago, when Poland tried to join NATO.
The Polish army must not only be more numerous, but also perfectly armed and equipped. So that the Polish soldier can serve effectively and safely. I talked about this recently with the President of the United States Joe Biden, and also yesterday during my visit to Warsaw with the Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.
Cooperation with the United States has never been as good as it is today. The success of the 2016 NATO summit in Warsaw meant that the alliance's eastern flank was significantly strengthened, with American soldiers permanently stationed in Poland.
Today Poland is in NATO, and NATO troops are present in our homeland! This is an extremely important, historical change for us. It is an obvious sign that we are no longer a Soviet sphere of influence and, I deeply believe, we never will be.
Strategic Polish-American relations are developing regardless of who sits in the White House. The decision on the presence of U.S. troops in Poland was made by President Barack Obama and his administration, during Donald Trump's presidency there was a significant increase in the number of U.S. troops, and today this process is being continued by President Joe Biden and his colleagues. This is extremely important for the security of our country and the entire region.
In order to further strengthen cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, we established the Bucharest Nine - nine NATO members from Central Europe, among whom we work together, preparing for future NATO summits. We also created the Tri-Moor Initiative, which brings together the countries of the European Union and Central Europe between the three seas: the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the Black Sea. Thanks to this our voice, the voice of the countries of Central Europe, is more and more clearly heard on the forums of both NATO and the European Union. All these elements make up the security architecture. Each of them is extremely important, and we must work on each of them together. For the security of Poland and the entire region.
The need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank is well understood by the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. It is also thanks to his work, kindness, enormous determination and understanding of the threats that we are today much better prepared to face the challenge of Russia's aggression against a free and independent Ukraine and Russia's threat to the free world.
I would like to thank Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sincerely for this. We will always remember this in Poland and throughout Central and Eastern Europe!

Dear Compatriots,
Dear Sirs!
On February 24, we woke up in a completely different world, in a new reality. Many of the theses proclaimed on the international forum were brutally overturned that day, I would even say: trampled on. Also those relating to the North Atlantic Alliance. It was said that the alliance has lost its raison d'etre. Everyone can now see clearly and distinctly that this is not true. One can see how deeply all those who claimed this were wrong.
We, the Poles and representatives of other countries in our region, were right to warn the West against Russian imperialism, against becoming dependent on Russian raw materials, which will be used as weapons in a possible conflict, against limiting the role of the United States in Europe, against attempts to oppose NATO and the European Union.
However, this is no time for bitter satisfaction and triumphalism. The most important thing today is unity, unity and unity once again. Both within the alliance and within the European Union. Therefore, I will repeat once again: it is equally important for Poland to be in NATO and in the European Union. These are the foundations of our security. This is the Polish raison d'état!
This was perfectly understood by the President of the Republic of Poland, Professor Lech Kaczyński. That is why he also strove for this for the countries in our region. We all remember how he fought for the right of Ukraine and Georgia to become members of NATO and the European Union. Before the 2008 summit of the alliance, he sent a special letter to the leaders in which he recalled the circumstances of the admission of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO in 1955. Just 10 years after World War II. He wrote at the time: "Germany's situation was far more complicated than that of Ukraine or Georgia today. Some countries did not yet recognize the borders of the German states drawn after World War II. But NATO was then able to take the courageous decision to admit West Germany. The most important enlargement decision in the history of the alliance," wrote President Lech Kaczyński.
If President Lech Kaczyński had been listened to at the time, if courageous decisions had been made, if the naive attitude not to irritate Russia had not prevailed, Ukraine would be in NATO today. The aggression of 2014 would probably never have happened, and the current war would probably not have happened either. History would have turned out differently.
Today, every day, the Ukrainian army and people are fighting an uneven battle against the Russian aggressor, showing great heroism, proving that they fully deserve membership in the alliance. The courageous leadership of President Volodymyr Zelensky embodies all the values on which the Western community is founded. The free world today has the face of President Volodymyr Zelensky!
But it must be up to the Ukrainian people and the leaders of Ukraine to decide whether Ukraine will be in NATO. These are the principles of democracy in which, I believe deeply, a free, sovereign, independent Ukraine will continue, as I believe it will prevail. It is they, the Ukrainians, who must have the right to decide whether or not they want to be part of the alliance after the war is over or whether they will choose another way to ensure their security. No one has the right to make that decision for them. There is not and will never be our consent to a new Yalta!
Dear Compatriots!
Dear Sirs!
By bestially attacking Ukraine, Vladimir Putin wants to bring about a new world order. He wants to reverse the course of history. As he himself says - to restore the time before 1997. Before the decision to expand NATO eastward. In fact, he would like to return to the times of the Soviet Union and the division of Europe into spheres of influence. He also wants to divide the world.
However, Russian aggression against Ukraine had exactly the opposite effect. It reunited the entire transatlantic community. It has demonstrated the importance of NATO and the importance of the American presence in Europe. It reaffirmed U.S. leadership in global security. It led to a change in the policy of the European Union, as well as its largest countries, towards Russia. It has united public opinion in Europe, as well as the societies of Western countries. I don't know if this is how Vladimir Putin imagined his success.
The answer to this great evil that Vladimir Putin and Russia brought to Ukraine and Europe became a great good here in our country. From the first hours, Poles opened their hearts and rushed to help their Ukrainian brothers in need. I bow my head before millions of our compatriots, who every day are responding with good to evil - they are trying with all their hearts to erase this evil, welcoming refugees into their homes, helping with transport, organizing collections, charity actions, as well as donating gifts and paying funds to help Ukraine.
Seeing the heroism of the Ukrainian people fighting for the freedom of their homeland, for their homes, for the safety and future of their children, but also seeing the solidarity of the Poles and other nations - I deeply believe that good will win! Goodness must prevail!
I believe that Ukraine will defend itself against Russian aggression, that millions of its citizens will be able to return to their homes, which together as the West we will help to rebuild; that Ukraine will join the European Union, in which we will support it always and everywhere.
I believe that the values that we share will prevail. Values on which the entire western community is built, and which the North Atlantic Alliance is supposed to defend!
Long live the North Atlantic Alliance!
Long live free Ukraine!

Volodymyr Zelenski recalled the words of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, spoken in 2008 during the Russian attack on Georgia: "We know very well that today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic states, and later maybe it is time for my country, for Poland". As Zelenski emphasized, the Ukrainian nation is fighting to prevent the bad time for Poland and the Baltic states. The Ukrainian president also referred to the Smolensk catastrophe in 2010 and the actions of Russia at that time. - We remember how the circumstances of this disaster were investigated. We know what it meant for you, and what the silence of those who knew everything, but still looked at our neighbor meant to you - said Zelenski.

- We fight together because we have strength. Together there are 90 million of us. Together we can do everything. This is a historic mission of Poland and Ukraine, to be leaders, to be together, to pull Europe out of the abyss and danger - he said. He also referred to the aid given by Poles to his compatriots escaping war. - Polish brothers and sisters, I feel that we have already built an unusual alliance - he said. As he added, it comes out "from the warmth of our hearts, not the words of politicians at the top. - You do it from the good heart - just like between friends, family - he noted.

The President of Ukraine addressed the Polish presidential couple: - Friend Andrzej, dear Agata, I claim that we have already united. We are united according to the words of the great Pole John Paul II, that we will conquer and create freedom together - he said. - I am convinced that we will defend freedom together, together with you. - If God gives and we win this war, we will share our victory with you. This is a fight for our freedom, but also for your freedom. This is a common history of great nations - said Zelenski. At the end of his speech, the President of Ukraine addressed the participants of the solemn assembly in Polish: Long live free Poland, long live free Ukraine!