In a bold statement, Poland‘s president has asserted that the resumption of gas flows from Russia to Western Europe should be permanently off the table, regardless of any potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
In an interview with the BBC, Andrzej Duda expressed that the Nord Stream gas pipelines, inactive since 2022, “should be dismantled.”
He stated that this would discourage countries such as Germany from considering restoring Russian supplies to enhance their own faltering economies.
“I can only hope that European leaders will draw lessons from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and that they will decisively choose never to restore the pumping of gas through this pipeline,” he stated.
During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Polish president emphasized the effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed on Russia, urging European nations to withstand corporate pressure to restore business connections.
The Nord Stream gas pipelines, constructed by Russia’s energy behemoth Gazprom, connect Russia to northern Germany.
The closure of Nord Stream 1 in 2022 and the unused status of Nord Stream 2 came in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, both sustained damage due to explosions.
Following the shutdown, gas prices in Europe significantly increased. In recent months, members of Germany’s far-right AfD party have proposed that the Nord Stream gas pipelines be brought back into operation.
Germany is set to conduct its federal elections after February.
Duda believes that the Nord Stream pipelines ought to be dismantled. “The pipeline poses a significant threat not only to Ukraine, Poland, and Slovakia but also other nations in Central Europe.”
He stated, “This poses a threat not only in terms of energy and military considerations but also represents a significant economic challenge, as it implies Russia’s dominance over Europe in the economic arena.”
The potential for a deal between Ukraine and Russia remains a topic of significant interest and speculation among analysts and policymakers. As both nations navigate the complexities of their ongoing conflict, discussions surrounding a possible agreement continue to evolve, raising questions about the implications for regional stability and international relations. With the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Duda emphasized that any peace negotiations must include Ukraine’s participation.
“I speak from my position as the president of the Republic of Poland, a neighboring country to Ukraine, and as the leader of a nation that has endured significant historical challenges,” he stated.
“I am addressing the events of World War Two, particularly the Yalta Conference, where our nation was excluded from discussions. Agreements were reached without our input, resulting in our placement behind the Iron Curtain, where we remained under the Soviet sphere of influence for nearly five decades,” he stated.
Former President Trump initially claimed he could negotiate a settlement regarding Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, within a mere 24 hours. However, he has recognized that the process may require more time than initially suggested.
Duda stated that permitting Russia to retain territory it has occupied in Ukraine would constitute “a violation of international law.”
President Vladimir Putin has expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict that commenced in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. However, he emphasized that Ukraine must acknowledge the reality of Russian territorial acquisitions, which currently encompass approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Putin continues to reject Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO, the military alliance comprised of Western nations.
Duda stated, “It is unacceptable for Russia to seize and retain certain territories of Ukraine by force, especially given the ongoing inability of the international community to reach a consensus on the matter.” This situation is intolerable.” We mustn’t allow Russia to emerge victorious in this conflict.”
Duda stated that Trump “understands the region,” emphasizing the importance of US involvement.
“President Donald Trump, as the head of the most influential nation within NATO and the leader of the world’s largest economy, will play a crucial role,” stated Duda.
“I am patiently anticipating the initial actions that Donald Trump will undertake.”