Macierewicz: NATO summit will be the largest in terms of numbers and decisions

On Friday, Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz announced that NATO’s July summit in Warsaw will stabilize the situation on its eastern flank and bolster the military alliance’s position in talks with Russia. "We are confident that this summit will stabilize the situation both in the east and south. NATO is a defensive alliance. It responds to threats. The response which will be given on July 8-9 will be a sufficient response, an effective response, a response which is an effective deterrent and providing security for our countries and nations," Macierewicz proclaimed. The official added that gathering in Warsaw on July 8-9 would be the largest NATO summit so far, both in terms of numbers and decisions, and the breakthrough nature of these decisions. Asked about NATO’s relations with Russia, Macierewicz said talks with Moscow should take place “from a position where decisions have been taken” to beef up the alliance’s presence on its eastern borders. “We are counting on these discussions leading to the withdrawal of Russia not only from aggressive steps, but also from the territories that it illegally took from Ukraine," the minister emphasized.