Former Polish President Andrzej Duda publicly supported Poland joining a prospective 'Peace Council' spearheaded by former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that participation is necessary even if it requires a reported $1 billion contribution. Speaking in an interview with RMF FM, Duda characterized the potential expenditure not as buying membership, but as a justified investment in securing a permanent seat at high-level international decision-making tables.
According to Duda, this direct engagement ensures Poland's involvement in establishing the global order and shaping critical decisions regarding world peace and international policy frameworks. He asserted that such access guarantees the nation's voice is heard in matters directly affecting its security and economic future.
The journalist from RMF FM reportedly questioned the utility of sitting alongside figures implicated in war crimes, specifically referencing Vladimir Putin. Duda countered this by drawing parallels to Poland's difficult history, noting the severe consequences the nation faced when excluded from pivotal diplomatic conferences, such as the Yalta Conference.
"There were times when we were not at that table, for example in Yalta, and we suffered greatly afterward," Duda stated, while simultaneously adding that any alleged perpetrator of crimes must ultimately face imprisonment. This historical perspective underscores his rationale for prioritizing diplomatic presence irrespective of the current company.
Beyond foreign policy, Duda commented on domestic political matters, acknowledging he currently lacks direct contact with Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński. However, he indicated that political necessity would immediately mandate the re-establishment of communication channels should circumstances require it.
Separately, the interview touched upon recent legislative actions concerning Ukrainian refugees, as Poland advances a bill to regulate the conditions for their stay. The proposed legislation, awaiting presidential signature, would transition nearly one million Ukrainians currently under temporary protection to a standard temporary residency status.
Economically, the willingness to contemplate a $1 billion outlay for diplomatic influence suggests a strategic prioritization of geopolitical leverage over immediate fiscal constraints for Poland's foreign policy establishment. This reflects a broader trend among Central European nations to secure influence amid shifting global alliances.
