Polish President Andrzej Duda has made a fervent appeal to fellow NATO states, urging them to step up their production of ammunition as a deterrent against potential aggression from Russia.
In an interview on Lithuanian television on Thursday evening, Duda stressed the necessity for Europe, in collaboration with the United States, to bolster their ammunition manufacturing capacities, particularly focusing on artillery shells, to fortify their security.
Duda emphasized that for NATO to effectively deter potential attacks, it must match Russia’s production levels in terms of quantity.
The Polish president’s remarks came during his visit to Lithuania for a summit of the states participating in the Three Seas Initiative in Vilnius. This coalition comprises 13 EU member states situated along the north-south axis between the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Seas.
Expressing concern, Duda highlighted Russia’s capability to produce over 2 million artillery shells annually, underscoring the inadequacy of ammunition supply in NATO countries.
Additionally, Duda advocated for a robust policy to enhance Western defense capabilities, labeling it as the foremost task for NATO states, including those in Central Europe.
He asserted that such measures, coupled with support for Ukraine, would empower the West to counter Russian imperialism effectively.
Ukraine has been grappling with a prolonged conflict against Russian aggression for more than two years, relying heavily on Western assistance for its military equipment.
