NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Wednesday (13 November 2024). Mr Rutte praised Poland's role as a key security provider on NATO's eastern flank, highlighting its leadership in defence spending among Allies.
Poland invests over 4 percent of GDP on defence, more than any other NATO Ally. "This sends a clear message not only to our adversaries, but also to the United States. That Europe understands it must do more to ensure our shared security. And that starts with spending more and also fielding more capabilities," Mr Rutte said.
Mr Rutte also commended Poland for hosting NATO forces, for its contributions to NATO missions in Kosovo and Iraq, and for its strong support for Ukraine. He noted that Poland has welcomed over a million Ukrainian refugees and committed 4 billion euros in military aid. Mr Rutte said that "Putin's increasing reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang and Tehran shows that our security is not regional, it is global," and welcomed Poland's commitment to building stronger ties with NATO's Indo-Pacific partners.
The Secretary General welcomed the official opening of the Aegis Ashore missile defence base in Redzikowo, Poland, describing it as "a testament to the strong commitment of both the United States and Poland to our collective defence."
