**Polish President Denounces Russia’s “Bloodthirsty Imperialism”**
In a strong statement, Polish President Andrzej Duda condemned Russia for its aggressive behavior and dismissed threats made to Poland and the Baltic states. Speaking on April 16, Duda described Russia’s actions as “bloodthirsty imperialism” and accused the country of attacking Ukraine for three years.
**NATO Response**
Duda emphasized that NATO’s actions are a response to Russian aggression, not an attack itself. He pointed out that NATO has never initiated an attack and is an alliance dedicated to supporting security. This statement comes as Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin threatened Poland and the Baltic states on April 15, claiming they would be the “first to suffer” in a direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
**Russian Disinformation**
Duda described these threats as “classic Russian misleading disinformation.” He also condemned Russia for escalating tensions with inflammatory statements and aggressive actions on the border between Russia, Belarus, Poland, and the Baltic states. Notably, Duda highlighted that Russia is redeploying nuclear weapons to Belarus, moving them closer to NATO and European Union borders.
**Strengthening Defense Capabilities**
In response to these threats, Duda called for Western nations to strengthen their defense capabilities to deter Russian aggression. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Euro-Atlantic ties, modernizing armies, and implementing a consistent and calm policy. Duda also underlined the significance of NATO, particularly in the context of mutual defense based on Article 5.
**Escalating Tensions**
The situation remains tense as Russia regularly threatens to escalate its war against Ukraine amid Western support for the embattled nation. The threats made by Naryshkin and the recent redeployment of nuclear weapons demonstrate a continued willingness to increase aggression in the region.
As the world watches these developments, it’s clear that the conflict between Russia and NATO is far from over. Duda’s statements highlight the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among Western nations to counter Russian aggression.
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