Speaker

• Antony J. Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State, United States

Moderator

• Michal Baranowski, Warsaw Office Director, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Read the speech

On May 5, during the official visit to Warsaw the U.S. Deputy Secretary Antony J. Blinken gave a public speech on the United States, Europe, and the NATO Alliance at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The audience consisted of diplomats residing in Warsaw, government officials, and think tank and private sector representatives.

In the speech, which was presented at the Warsaw Public Library, the U.S. Deputy Secretary focused on NATO and the challenges facing the Alliance. He emphasized that the right response to current challenges requires responsibility and commitment of each member of the Alliance. According to Antony J. Blinken, Poland's increased spending on investment in defense is already showing its commitment to fulfil the obligations. He also highlighted that responsibility of the Alliance is to fight against threats coming from both the East and South.

Antony J. Blinken also concentrated on unlawful annexation of Crimea, support for threat of Moscow-backed militants in Ukraine, and Russia's deployment of heavy weapons and thousands of troops along international borders. According to Antony J. Blinken such actions violate the principle "that the borders and territorial integrity of the state cannot be changed by force; that making a decision on future of their country is the inalienable right of citizens in a democratic society; that all members of the international community are linked by common rules and have to pay for failure to comply with their obligations."

He confirmed that support to Ukraine provided by the United States remains unchanged and that sanctions against Russia should stay in place until full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Among other topics discussed by U.S. Deputy Secretary were energy security and migration crisis in Europe. He emphasized that Europe should speak on this issue with one voice, and Poland due to its history and geography should understand what the refugee crisis is.

At the end of his speech, Blinken referred to the dispute over the Constitutional Tribunal in Poland “We remain confident that Poland, with its extraordinary tradition of democracy, will find a solution to its current Constitutional Tribunal dispute in accordance with its constitution and the highest international standards of rule of law.”

The event closed with a short question and answer session between the speaker and the GMF US Warsaw Office Director Michał Baranowski.