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Poland’s president says members of the North Atlantic Treaty Group, together with Canada, should increase defence spending to a few per cent of GDP to discourage Russia’s conflict in Ukraine from spreading.
Andrzej Duda made the feedback at a speech in Vancouver on Friday, a day forward of his assembly with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Whereas not saying Canada by title, Duda says the West has “numerous gaps” in its industrial base to provide army help for Ukraine in its defence towards Russia, an issue that must be resolved if Moscow’s threats are to be deterred.
Duda says he first broached the concept of NATO members boosting defence spending from two per cent to a few per cent of GDP throughout a go to to the US in March, and can once more push the subject throughout a NATO summit in Washington, D.C., in July.
In 2022, Canada spent 1.2 per cent of its GDP on its army. The final time it was at two per cent was 1990.
Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has boosted its defence spending to 4 per cent of GDP and has been one of many high army help suppliers to Ukraine.
Duda says Baltic and Jap European international locations close to the entrance traces of the Russia-Ukraine battle want assist in backing Ukraine and he referred to as for different allies to assist result in “a transparent army loss” for Moscow.
“They perceive completely this very language,” Duda says. “Regrettably, they don’t care a lot for Western sanctions and for declining dwelling requirements.”
When requested what Canada can do to assist Poland in its efforts, Duda recounted a dialog with Trudeau a couple of week earlier than the battle between Russia and Ukraine broke out.
He says Trudeau was frightened about Poland’s “powerful coverage” towards unlawful migration and its doable impression if Ukrainian refugees flooded Polish borders throughout a conflict.
The Polish chief says each its coverage towards unlawful migration and the next opening of borders to Ukrainian refugees replicate a typical precept that Poland has an obligation to its allies and companions.
“It is best to keep in mind that we’ve got accountability for the border of the European Union and Schengen zone,” says Duda, referring to the border space across the European Union.
“We’ve to guard this border not solely in our personal curiosity but additionally within the curiosity in line with European obligations.”
Duda provides Poland believes Russia would transfer westward if Ukraine falls, with the Baltic states and Poland in its quick path, and whereas Poland is ready, it doesn’t negate the necessity for others in NATO to additionally put together.
“Sadly, sure, we’re prepared,” he says. “However we additionally notice that we’ve got to strengthen our army capabilities.
“We’d like new tanks in state-of-the-art know-how. We’d like new howitzers. We’d like new helicopters … what we purchase from the US, from American business, from South Korean business (is) as a result of we’d like it.”
Duda arrived in Canada from the US, the place he met earlier this week with former U.S. President Donald Trump in New York in what the Polish chief described as a “pleasant assembly in very good ambiance.”
Funding aimed toward offering extra help to Ukraine within the U.S. has been held up by Trump allies in Congress.
By Chuck Chiang.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 19, 2024.
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