Polish President Advocates Dismantling Nord Stream Pipelines in Davos
The Polish president, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, insisted that economic sanctions against Russia were effective and urged European countries to resist pressure from companies to re-establish business links.
The Nord Stream gas pipelines, constructed by Russia's gas giant Gazprom, run between Russia and northern Germany. Nord Stream 1 was shut down in 2022 and Nord Stream 2 was never commissioned, following the invasion of Ukraine. Both pipelines were damaged by explosions in 2022.
Gas prices in Europe surged after the shutdown, and in recent months, politicians from Germany's far-right AfD party have suggested that the Nord Stream gas pipelines should restart operations. Germany will hold federal elections at the end of February.
"I believe the Nord Stream pipelines should be dismantled," Duda stated. "This pipeline poses a significant threat to Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and other Central European nations."
He added: "It is a threat in terms of energy, military security, and it represents a vast economic danger as it implies Russia's domination over Europe economically."
On the prospects of a deal between Ukraine and Russia with US President Donald Trump in office, Duda asserted that no peace talks could occur without Ukraine's involvement. "I'm stating this as the president of the Republic of Poland, as a neighbour to Ukraine, and as a country that has endured challenging historical experiences," he explained.
"I'm referring to World War Two and Yalta, where we were excluded from negotiations. Certain agreements were made without our consent, leading us to exist behind the Iron Curtain, essentially under the Soviet sphere of influence for nearly fifty years," he stated.
