At the request of the US side, Minister Zbigniew Rau met with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma and the accompanying representatives of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez. The talks focused on the development of bilateral relations and coordination of response to the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, including by providing comprehensive assistance to the Ukrainian side.
The officials highlighted the strong strategic dimension of the bilateral relations, evidenced by close cooperation in the field of security and defence policies, as well as by joint efforts to ensure energy security, including as regards the development of nuclear energy in Poland.
The meeting also contributed to further coordination of the transatlantic response to the war triggered by Russia and its consequences on the international scene. Minister Rau presented Poland’s position in this regard, emphasising in particular the need to tighten sanctions against Russia and hold it accountable for its crimes. He called on the West to continue the assistance provided to Ukraine in the political dimension, by supporting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Ukrainian people, as well as military, humanitarian and economic aid.
“Poland advocates strong transatlantic relations. Taking steps to strengthen and enhance them will be our priority, also during our presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is also in the vital interest of the United States to remain a ‘European power’,” said Minister Rau.
In the context of preparations for a NATO summit to be hosted by Vilnius in July this year, the head of the Polish MFA also highlighted the importance of further strengthening of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, including its eastern flank, among other things through a significant and permanent US military presence in Poland.
