By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- Three days ago, in a joint press conference in Warsaw, Poland, U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harrris and Polish President Andrzej Duda talked about common points on the war in Ukraine and fielded questions from reporters. Duda opened the press conference by praising the American presence in Poland. Duda commented of Harris: “She’s demonstrating the strength and depth of the new transatlantic pond, demonstrating decisive engagement and commitment.” Duda reiterated that Poland stands in solidarity with Ukraine while he lauded cooperation between the U.S. and Poland and the “deep friendship” he said that both countries share. Duda strongly emphasized: “We have to rescue Ukraine, all hands should be on board.” He reiterated that the presence in Poland of US representation at the highest level, is very significant. Harris echoed Duda and said: “We are here and I am here in Poland today as part of a longstanding friendship and commitment between the U.S. and Poland based on shared values and priorities.”
The Polish president said of the war in Ukraine: “None of us expected we would see such things in the 21st century.” Harris said that what is happening in Ukraine are “atrocities of unimaginable proportions.” Duda explained that the majority of Ukrainian refugees are staying with Polish families, who he said “felt compelled” to open their homes. Harris praised the people of Poland “for what you are doing everyday, it really represents the best of who we are.” Duda added that the sudden influx of refugees has put Poland in a constrained situation in terms of resources. He said: “We have to survive this difficult time and we have to do this by helping our neighbors.” He explained this is why Poland is grateful for assistance from the U.S. in handling the over 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine. Duda said: “I was proud to tell Madame Vice-President that those refugees have not been sent to any camps. They have been accepted by Polish families.” He added that refugees are also being housed in a number of hotels and guest houses, also. Harris said there is $13.6 billion in U.S. aid earmarked for Poland and other EU countries that will be shared among those nations to handle the needs of refugees.
On Russia, Duda strongly emphasized that more sanctions need to be imposed and that Russian attacks on maternity wards, schools and apartment buildings and on residents “is an act of “barbarity.” Duda remarked: “What is happening in Ukraine is tantamount to genocide.” Both Harris and Duda referenced the recent bombing of a maternity ward. Harris said that what compels us is the “moral outrage” of Russian aggression on innocents. Duda said he met with Polish-American delegations and that his wife is coordinating humanitarian aid with a variety of NGOs in America and that she is in touch with First Lady Jill Biden for those efforts. Harris also announced that the U.S. will be providing $50 million to the World Food Program (WFP) to assist with humanitarian aid.
The U.S. Vice-President referring to arms for Ukraine said: “We’re making deliveries every day, in terms of what we can do.” The U.S. on Saturday authorized an additional $200 million worth of equipment and military training to Ukraine. Some of what the U.S. has been providing Ukraine includes Javelin and Stinger missiles among other types of military hardware. With reference to President Duda’s desire for Poland to “boost our own military security” – Harris said that two Patriot missile systems have just been delivered to Poland. Duda said he also wants to bolster Poland’s F-35s and M1 Abrams tanks. He added: “We want to ramp them up as fast as possible. We need them as soon as we can get them.”
Harris highlighted the Polish-American commitment and explained: “We talked about the commitment to Article 5. The United States commitment to Article 5 is iron clad.” The U.S. vice-president said that America is ready to defend “every inch of NATO territory” if it is attacked. She praised the people of Ukraine for their “extraordinary ability and skill” to withstand military onslaughts from Russia. The vice-president also mentioned that the U.S. is in discussions with Poland and other allies about levying more sanctions on Russia. Harris added that Russia’s current credit rating has been relegated to that of a junk rating. She said: “There will be severe cost and consequences of Russia’s aggression.”The vice-president underscored: “An attack against one is an attack against all,” and added: “This is a moment that requires severe and swift consequences.” Harris emphasized: “We are very clear the NATO alliance is stronger and Russia is weaker because of what Russia has done.”
President Duda thanked Harris for “this demonstration that we stand together.” The Polish president added: “The U.S. is truly a friend, indeed,” and added that America has kept its commitments and that Poland is in close contact with President Biden and that the friendship between the U.S. and Poland is “stronger than ever and at the highest level.” The U.S. vice-president underscored how important Poland is for the U.S. and said: “The U.S. and Poland are united and prepared in what we have done and are prepared to do.” To the people of Ukraine, Kamala Harris declared: “We stand with the people of Ukraine. That we admire their courage and that we are aligned in our support of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
