Biden to host Polish leaders, reinforcing alliance and discussing military cooperation
2:25 PM EST, February 15, 2024
On March 12, the White House stated that U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland. The President of the Republic of Poland announced the announcement on his X portal profile.
"The concurrent visit to Washington of the President and Prime Minister on the anniversary of Poland's accession to NATO underscores that the Polish-American alliance remains and will continue to be robust, regardless of the administrations in either country," Andrzej Duda wrote.
"As a credible ally that allocates 4 percent of its GDP to defense, Poland stands as a model for other Alliance countries," Duda highlighted.
Issues to be discussed by the leaders
The leaders plan to discuss support for Ukraine, military cooperation, and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Washington.
A key focus during the discussions will be matters related to nuclear energy. Poland is interested in having the nuclear power plant in Pomerania built by American firms Bechtel and Westinghouse. Donald Tusk's team was already advocating for this collaboration last November.
Presidential Office expresses satisfaction at the invitation
"We're delighted with this invitation. The USA is our most significant ally," Grażyna Ignaczak-Bandych, the head of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland, asserted in a conversation with PAP.
Ignaczak-Bandych detailed that arrangements are presently underway on the specifics and agenda of the meeting. Topics that President Duda will highlight during his conversation with the U.S. President are "obvious."
"Security is a key topic: the presence of American forces in Poland, military cooperation, matters tied to armaments and military equipment, as well as continued support for Ukraine," she added.
The meeting is scheduled to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Poland's admission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Ignaczak-Bandych sees the presidential meeting as an excellent chance to reflect on Poland's quarter-century journey with NATO and discuss the Alliance's future, including the upcoming NATO summit in Washington this July.
As Prime Minister, this will mark Donald Tusk's first interaction with Joe Biden as U.S. President. It will also signify his inaugural visit to the White House as the current head of government.
The upcoming meeting between Duda, Tusk, and Biden at the White House signifies an extraordinary event. In the past, similar incidents have not taken place. For instance, as Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki met Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House, but not with Biden himself.
