Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has called for a permanent cessation of Russian gas flows to Western Europe, even if a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is reached.
Speaking to the BBC, Duda emphasized that Nord Stream pipelines, which have been inactive since 2022, should be dismantled. He argued that removing the pipelines would eliminate the temptation for countries like Germany to restore Russian gas supplies to support their struggling economies.
Duda’s Stance on Russian Gas
“I can only hope that European leaders will learn from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and decide never to restore gas flows through this pipeline,” said Duda.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, he insisted that economic sanctions against Russia are working and urged European nations to resist pressure from companies seeking to re-establish business ties with Moscow.
The Nord Stream pipelines, constructed by Russia’s energy giant Gazprom, connect Russia to northern Germany. While Nord Stream 1 was shut down in 2022, Nord Stream 2 was never operational following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both pipelines were damaged in explosions later that year.
Regional Security and Energy Threats
Duda stated, “These pipelines are a significant threat to Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and other Central European countries. They pose energy, military, and economic risks, enabling Russia’s dominance over Europe.”
Duda on Peace Talks and Russia’s Territorial Gains
Commenting on potential peace talks, Duda stressed that any negotiations must include Ukraine and respect its sovereignty. He dismissed the possibility of allowing Russia to retain territories it has occupied.
“This is unacceptable. The international community must not allow Russia to win this war,” he stated.
Duda also expressed cautious optimism about U.S. involvement under President Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of NATO’s role in ensuring regional security.
