Politico: Poland believes it can turn D. Trump against Russia – Respublika.lt

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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. EPA-Elta photo.

“The Polish government believes it has a secret weapon that could turn Donald Trump against Russian leader Vladimir Putin,” the report said.

When the US Congress allocated more than 60 billion dollars to Ukraine aid package, lawmakers from Poland’s current opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party were quick to say it was due to the influence of President Andrzej Duda, who met with Trump in New York just days earlier.

During the meeting, the two discussed Ukraine’s military needs, and A. Duda also met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

As noted, despite the fact that in Poland, where Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the PiS government are at loggerheads, “there is a rare consensus” that Trump needs to be swayed.

A. Duda’s meeting coincided with changes in the policy of the former US president and the Republican Party towards Ukraine. D. Trump, who had previously spoken positively about V. Putin and condemned Ukraine’s political problems, published a completely opposite statement on social media a day later.

“As everyone agrees, the survival and strength of Ukraine should be much more important for Europe than for us, but it is also important for us!” LET’S MOVE FORWARD, EUROPE!” it says.

Politico notes that Mr. Trump likes to be publicly praised and honored.

For example, PiS politicians always speak at meetings of American conservatives, and A. Duda was one of the few who did not congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Also in 2018, the PiS administration considered naming a base in Poland “Fort Trump” to encourage the White House to deploy US troops there.

Previously, A. Duda said that NATO countries should increase defense spending from the mandatory 2 percent. up to 3 percent from GDP, and Poland should change its national security strategy in view of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Former US President D. Trump said that under his leadership the US would “one hundred percent” stay in NATO if European countries “play fair”.

He warned European countries not to abuse US support and called for increased defense spending.