Polish President Andrzej Duda used the opportunity of a joint press availability with Kamala Harris to correct the record and diplomatically push back against Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for making up the “green light” story {Background Here}.
During the Q&A, Harris was asked about what alternatives there were for the Polish fighter jets that have now been taken off the table in the material support discussions for Ukraine. When it came time for his reply, President Duda stated:
Duda: “Let me say something more. We accept that [Ukraine] have the right to demand this assistance from the international community. They can demand this support from NATO. We are providing them humanitarian assistance and material assistance the best we can. We are trying to do our best.
Some expectations were addressed in a very strong and unequivocal way, also towards us — towards Poland. However, we are members of the North Atlantic Alliance. And as far as security-related issues are concerned, we have to look at these not only through our own lens — through the prism of the security of Poland — but we also have to adopt the perspective of the security of NATO as a whole.
So, in a nutshell, we have to be a responsible member of the North Atlantic Alliance. That is why there were requests addressed to us. Those requests were addressed to us by the Ukrainian side and also, to a certain extent, by the media.
Notice those last three words, “by the media.” The calls from media were an outcome of U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken saying Poland has a “green light” to send fighter jets to Ukraine – without ever discussing the issue with Ukraine in advance. Poland was blindsided.
We behaved in such a way as a reliable member of NATO should behave — a member of NATO who does not want to expose NATO to any difficult situation. On the other hand, we, as members of NATO, also wanted and want to look for ways of support for the fight in Ukraine. And that is why we formulated statements, together with the Polish government — so myself as president, together with the Polish government.
And this statement or this declaration was announced by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs. It talked about the Polish possibilities — military possibilities of assisting Ukraine. Simply, we decided to put those jets at the disposal of NATO, not expecting anything in return, because we stressed very clearly that, as a gap filler for the donated equipment, we were able to buy something that we would need as a replacement. And we, ourselves, we’re ready to provide our equipment free of charge.
But we wanted NATO as a whole to make a common decision so that Poland remains a credible member of NATO, not a country who decides on its own on important issues which impact the security of NATO as a whole — which would impact the security of all members of NATO — also our neighbors who are part of NATO — members of NATO.
Thank you.
Secretary Blinken put Poland in a terrible place with their statement implying, directly and intentionally implying, that Poland was sending MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Poland had no intent of doing that, and the conversation had never taken place.
On Sunday, Secretary Blinken was trying to create a NATO conflict with Russia by using Poland. President Duda puts Blinken in his place by saying, “a reliable member of NATO” would never “behave” in such a manner as to put NATO into such a “difficult position.”
It’s a remarkable situation that unfolded. Again, the media is ignoring it.
seeing if this tweet will post; it looks like the European Parliament voted to sanction Poland and Hungary – guess this is FJB’s payback for Poland not starting WW3 by giving Ukraine it’s planes:
I would not be surprise if Poland & Hungary leave NATO- they will never ever let Muslims and Africans let in…they love their culture/tradition/history and above all they 90 % Roman Catholics….they( NATO) poke bear for very long time…he lost patient too…
More likely they leave the EU
It would probably be in their best interest.
Kamalalama has that “deer in the headlights” look, doesn’t she? What a maroon….
She really does. I’m calling out friends, frenemies, etc. They claimed that Trump was bad, but now we know the truth (most of us knew this already). These morons who voted for this should be held accountable.
We’re about six months away from Kamalamadingdong getting the Obama On The Tarmac In China treatment… from friendly nations.
I feel really sorry for any decent country that has to deal w/Harris. Too bad she wasn’t sent to meet w/Putin.
I feel sorry for us. She is such an embarrassment to us.
Even though they have a sense of humor, you get the feeling the people running Poland operate for the benefit of their citizens and they are serious about what they do.
Gravitas.
And then there are our leaders.
I’m part Polish, maybe I’ll move there!
Hey Poland, did ya take people from AZOV? y/N=?
Blinken is almost as dumb as Kamala. We have absolute toadstools negotiating foreign policy. This is what happens when you go woke and appoint fruits and nuts and political cronies instead of qualified people
Stolen elections have consequences!
European leaders always talk more intelligently and knowledgably than the average US politician/Regime member LOL
But then, that’s not too difficult is it.
And they do it in English while few of our ambassadors ever speak the languages of the countries to which they are sent.
Is it true that either a Polish offical or President Duda said If this woman is elected President it would be a mistake?
Her own FATHER said she should not be Vice President.
“Cowards” ask others to do what they themselves are not willing to do.
And Blinken certainly put US in that category here.
Kameltoe laughed!
Absolute power has corrupted the government absolutely!
The Poles aren’t looking so stupid these days. (they never were it was just a stereotype by the block head Swedes 🙂 ) It really is shocking how dumb these folks from the Democrat side really are d. u. m. b. Stupid. They’ve been getting away with stuff they never should’ve for years due to a sheltering media but reality is shockingly real and most folks get real serious when people start talking about atoms and the blood of your children starts getting thrown around. as if it’s a minor inconvenience.
The Poles know what real war looks and feels like. They know what oppression and tyranny looks and feels like and how much it costs to recover.
Don’t be surprised if the Poles who came here for refuge are ready to return home except for the fear of Russia overtaking Poland again.
One of the main reasons (besides raw power grabbing) that the EU was created was to over power the US. And to pick at the smaller countries of the so called alliance. Things were much better for everyone when they were just a loose confederation of states for the purposes of defense and economic security. Many of these nations should get out and leave the Germans and France to play their games as they have for 2,000 years.
Took 27 economies the compete with ours, once the die was cast and the power obtained they couln’t even find the brakes much less apply them.
Love the nic! Personally I believe it depends on the situation, take Israel for example. Hamas fires primitive rockets they cannot aim or control into Israeli cities, let the Israelis disengage the guidance system on their rockets and fire away. To me that’s the definition of proportionate.
This entire debacle is a wet dream and a CYA opportunity for RINOs and Dems to ensure the corrupt $$$ flowing from Ukraine into their own bank accounts doesn’t stop.
Zelenskyy was voted in after Poroshenko to undo the corruption. Remember the “perfect phone call” President Trump had with Zelenskyy? That scared the living hell outta them and was a cause for impeachment. Despicable!
Look at our terrible VP. I remember when the entire DC swamp/Media roasted Dan Quayle alive. Next to PDJT I never seen such hatred towards someone. And old Poppy seldom said a word to support him.
Geez…
We look like idiots (again). European and Arab leaders don’t return Biden’s phone calls and Kamala is a cackling gaffe machine.
Sending her anywhere in the world is like holding up a big sign that says “we don’t really care.”