Vilnius: Poland's President Karol Nawrocki stated that Russia and its leadership will continue to pose a continual threat to Central and Eastern Europe, irrespective of any changes within Moscow's political framework. Speaking at a joint news conference in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, alongside Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Nawrocki emphasized that the region's long-standing concerns about Russia have been validated.

According to Anadolu Agency, Nawrocki highlighted that while policies aimed at a 'reset' with the Russian Federation are fading, the threat from Russia remains constant. He remarked, "Whether it's Tsarist Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or Vladimir Putin's Russia, our countries, now independent, still face the same threat from the Russian Federation."

He further pointed out that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe were correct in their assessment of the Russian threat, even when Western Europe was preoccupied with other issues such as climate policy or immigration. The three leaders had gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the 1863 January Uprising against Russian rule, an unsuccessful attempt to restore the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was quashed by Tsarist forces a year later.

Nawrocki noted the symbolic importance of the uprising, describing it as a moral victory that maintained national identity and sent a clear message that surrender was not an option. He stressed that the lesson of the uprising remains pertinent in today's world, where imperial aggression is resurfacing.

He also lauded the increasing regional defense cooperation, particularly praising Lithuania's planned military expenditure, which is projected to reach 5.4% of its gross domestic product, surpassing Poland's level. "Poland allocates nearly 5% of its GDP to the development of the Polish armed forces. We have the most powerful army in the region, with over 200,000 Polish soldiers. Therefore, I am full of praise for Lithuania," Nawrocki stated.

Additionally, Nawrocki mentioned that Polish troops will have the opportunity to train at a new Lithuanian military area near the Suwalki Gap, a narrow corridor between Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, which is considered a potential flashpoint in any future conflict.