Poland's President Advocates for Permanent Gas Supply Ban from Russia

In an exclusive interview, Duda emphasized the need for European nations to dismantle the Nord Stream pipelines to curtail Russian economic influence and ensure regional security.

During an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda urged that the flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe should remain permanently halted, regardless of any peace agreement that might arise between Russia and Ukraine. He stated that the Nord Stream pipelines, which have been inactive since 2022, pose a substantial risk and should be dismantled to prevent countries, particularly Germany, from succumbing to the temptation of reestablishing energy supplies from Russia to support their economies.

Duda expressed his hope that other European leaders would recognize the significance of the lessons from Russia's actions against Ukraine and advocate firmly against the resumption of gas pumping through these pipelines. “I can only hope that European leaders will learn lessons from Russia's aggression against Ukraine,” he asserted, emphasizing that the discontinuation of these energy flows is crucial for the security of Central European nations.

The president reiterated the effectiveness of the existing economic sanctions against Russia and urged European nations to resist the push from corporations looking to revive business relations with Moscow. The Nord Stream infrastructure, developed by Gazprom, connects Russia directly to Germany, with the first pipeline being shut down in 2022 after the onset of the Ukraine invasion, while the second was never operational.

As gas prices in Europe soared following the pipeline closures, political pressures in Germany have surfaced, notably from the far-right AfD party, suggesting the resumption of gas operations. With impending federal elections in Germany scheduled for late February, Duda's remarks serve as a firm warning against such moves.

“I believe the Nord Stream pipelines should be dismantled,” he stated, highlighting that these pipelines threaten Ukraine, Poland, and other neighboring countries from both an energy and military standpoint.

In discussing a possible resolution to the conflict, especially with the new administration under US President Donald Trump, Duda maintained that Ukraine must be an essential part of any negotiations. He referenced historical injustices, citing Poland's exclusion from pivotal discussions post-World War II, and underscored that allowing Russia to retain occupied territories in Ukraine would be tantamount to violating international law.

Duda firmly asserted, “We must not let Russia win this war,” emphasizing the critical role that U.S. involvement will play in shaping the future of this regional conflict. He acknowledged Trump’s commitment to the region and looked forward to the potential actions from the new U.S. leadership in navigating the delicate situation at hand.