The work of the Alliance is not only to the treaties, but to actually work together," said president Andrzej Duda, who, together with the president of Lithuania, was following the exercises "Wild Dziek 25". The 2 presidents besides talked about the upcoming NATO summit, where a decision may be made to increase the defence spending of all members of the Alliance.
‘Fighting chaotic boar ‘25’ is the most crucial exercise of this year's 16th Mechanized Division, which is besides attended by representatives of air forces, territorial defence troops and allied forces from the USA, Romania, Lithuania, Sweden and the Czech Republic. In total, about 3,000 soldiers and 600 units of equipment, including armored vehicles, tanks, fighters and helicopters. On Monday, 19 May, soldiers conducted an episode in an area urbanized in a military camp in Orzysz (Warmia-Masurian Province) in the presence of president Andrzej Duda, president of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Army gene. Wiesława Kukuła and commander-general of the types of armed forces Gen. Marek Sokołowski.
During a joint conference, president Duda stressed that it was one more time erstwhile he met president Nausėda and allied troops in the Suwałki gulf. In 2 weeks I will be going to Vilnius for a gathering of the Bucharest Nine, hosted by president Gitanas Nausėda. We will discuss issues related to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. I'm certain we'll besides be talking about our next steps. supporting Ukraine's Russian aggression announced the president of Poland. "But we will besides talk about what is 1 of the most crucial topics today, namely raising defence spending in the North Atlantic Alliance countries," said president Andrzej Duda.
The commander of the armed forces pointed out that Poland and Lithuania are in this respect in the NATO vanguard. Lithuania spent 2.75% on its military in 2024. GDP. This year it is expected to be around 4%, and between 2026 and 2030 defence backing in Lithuania will increase to up to 5–6% of GDP. “Poland spends almost 5% of GDP on defence, but a fewer months ago I made an authoritative proposal to the NATO Secretary-General that the NATO summit should decide to increase defence spending throughout the North Atlantic Alliance to at least 3% of associate States’ GDP,” said Duda. "I hope that this solution will be adopted," added the president and stressed that the Secretary-General of NATO even opts for mandatory spending of a minimum of 3.5% of GDP on defence by all members of the Alliance.
– I am glad that we are strengthening Polish-Lithuanian cooperation in many respects – added the head of the Polish armed forces and pointed to military cooperation, but besides purchases made by Lithuania in the Polish defence industry. He besides referred to the upcoming second circular of presidential elections. – I told president Nausėda about this, that I hope that my successor will strengthen and build brotherly and friendly Polish-Lithuanian relations – signed Andrzej Duda.
“The Wilderness exercises are a clear signal that we are ready to defend our countries, our people and the full east flank of NATO. I am pleased that they are taking place close the Lithuanian border, close the Suwałki gulf, whose defence is our shared responsibility," said Gitanas Nausėda.
In his speech in Orzysz, the president of Lithuania besides referred to the request for NATO members to increase their defence spending. – 3.5% of the lower threshold of defence backing is an absolute minimum, below which we have no right to descend. Especially since we do not have the luxury of extending this process to a very distant future. As we know, our enemies are awake – the president of Lithuania warned.
