During a fresh interview for Fox News, Donald Trump stated that the United States "never needed" NATO support in Afghanistan. – They will say that they sent any soldiers... but they stayed a small behind, distant from the front line," said the president of the United States.
In Europe, including Poland, these words were perceived as a blow to the honour of soldiers who fought in Afghanistan for years. At least 33,000 Poles participated in the mission. 44 people were killed: 43 soldiers and 1 civilian employee.
Trump's message was immediately responded by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and erstwhile GROM commander Roman Polko, stressing that the Polish military fought on the front line and suffered real losses. president Karol Nawrocki besides spoke, although he was criticised for his "too mild" reaction.
A sharp open letter to Donald Trump besides published the household of the Lost Soldiers Association "Memory and Future". "Our blood was not "necessary." "We talk clearly: the sacrifice of our loved ones was real, their service mattered, and their memory requires fact and respect. We will not let their blood to be sacrificed on the altar of current politics," they wrote.
Andrzej Duda about Afghanistan: Trump has nothing to apologize for
Contrary to this wave of criticism, Andrzej Duda felt Trump's message was not offensive. In his conversation with RMF FM, he emphasized that he saw no reason to apologize. "I see nothing in this message that would justify the word 'sorry', due to the fact that president Trump did not insult anyone," said the erstwhile president.
Duda argued that Trump was looking at the case through the prism of the U.S. engagement scale and the losses suffered by the American army. "If president Trump is looking at this from the point of view of how the American army was active and how many American soldiers died, no NATO army has any comparison in terms of losses, with the American army," he said.
At the same time, he admitted that the message was "unfortunate and awkward", and the reaction of the Polish authorities was justified. However, he criticized those who publically attacked Trump's words. “Today, those who had previously injured Polish uniform and Polish soldiers shout loudly,” added Andrzej Duda.
Duda's position triggered a sharp reaction. "Dude, this is intellectual despair. With respect to the fresh position, Trump shares Trump's shameful view of Polish soldiers. erstwhile Head of the Polish Army!", "It is said that any 'work' in the US is frying, so it is afraid that they will not let in, as Trump criticizes", "He should have a judicial ban on speaking about Polish matters", "Face for Polish soldiers", "Tragedy" – netizens compose on X.
Andrzej Duda for Poland's entry into the Trump Council of Poland
During the same conversation, Andrzej Duda besides referred to the initiative of Donald Trump, which is formed by him Council of Peace. The erstwhile president advocated Poland's participation in this group.
Duda pointed out that Poland does not gotta "buy" the membership itself, due to the fact that – he claims – it was invited to the Council, and the amount of 1 billion dollars concerns obtaining a permanent seat. “This means participating in the most crucial decisions concerning the construction of planet peace and large planet policy,” he argued in RMF FM.
When the station's writer pointed out that the Council of Peace could have leaders liable for war crimes, including the president of Russia Vladimir Putin invited by Trump, Duda appealed to Poland's history. – There were times erstwhile we were missing at specified a table, e.g. in Yalta, and we suffered very much for it later," he said. At the same time he added that "a criminal must be put in jail".
