At 11:00 AM, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia, Robert Kaliňák. Statements from the ministers are planned for approximately 12:40 PM.

At 11:00 AM in Warsaw, a press conference will be held by the Deputy Chairman of PiS, Mateusz Morawiecki, along with PiS MPs Olga Semeniuk-Patkowska and Marcin Porzucek.

At 12:00 PM in the Presidential Palace, President Andrzej Duda will present state decorations to individuals involved in assisting the population during the war in Ukraine.

At 1:30 PM in the Presidential Palace, a meeting of the National Security Council, convened by President Andrzej Duda, will take place. An opening address by President Duda is planned for the Council meeting, followed by a press conference after its conclusion.

– A great meeting with the President, followed by excellent words from President Trump about the President of Poland, about Poland, to the participants of the CPAC conference, the largest conservative conference in America […] an excellent targeted message to the American establishment about Poland's position, about President Andrzej Duda's position, about the important role he plays in American foreign policy, about how important a leader in Europe President Duda is – said Wojciech Kolarski in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

– The reaction of international media, everywhere there is talk about this meeting and about Poland's important position […] Let's leave the malicious remarks to those who are resentful that it wasn't these politicians, who express such malicious remarks, who had the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States – he continued.

– It wasn't a few-minute meeting [...] I would say, of course, it was too short a meeting, because every meeting with the President of the United States is too short, there are so many matters and so many things, but let's not fall for a certain illusion – said Wojciech Kolarski on Polsat News.

– A year ago, President Duda [...] had a 2.5-hour conversation in Trump Tower. But that was an exceptional situation. Now President Trump is no longer just a candidate, but is the President of the United States, such conversations are short, and for them to happen, it requires a lot of effort – he continued.

– Believe me, it is a great success of President Duda, his consistent policy, which he has pursued for 10 years, that he has such relations with the United States, that he has such excellent relations with President Trump, that such a conversation can take place – he went on to say.

– Yes [Andrzej Duda's meeting with Donald Trump is a success for Poland]. I understand these are the calculations of so-called Twitter experts, and I have a quote here from Donald Trump. When he was leaving the conference in Washington, he said to the journalists: the meeting was very good, excellent, Duda is a fantastic guest, the meeting was great, it couldn't have been better. Today, we can believe either Donald Trump or so-called Twitter experts. However, I prefer to believe the US President – stated Marcin Mastalerek in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Radio Zet.

– It didn't end after 10 minutes, and it wasn't supposed to be an hour-long meeting. It was a very good meeting where the president discussed all the most important matters. I understand that there is an election campaign underway, I see what's happening, and I understand the political envy and jealousy that President Duda has the best relations in Poland's history with the American President. There has never been a Polish president about whom the American President has said that he is his friend, that he is fantastic, etc. – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– The official invitation to the Three Seas Summit… which will be held for the 10th time, this time in Warsaw on April 28, has been officially sent to the White House. This is one of the possibilities being discussed with the American side, and not the only one – said Wojciech Kolarski in Polsat News.

– President Trump confirmed that he is very pleased, thanks for the invitation, and yes, he wants to be in Poland – he continued.

– Find me a quote from Barack Obama, he was president for two terms, for example, about Donald Tusk or Bronisław Komorowski, find me a quote from Joe Biden about someone from PO or the Left. Never has an American president spoken about a Polish president the way they speak about Andrzej Duda. Andrzej Duda is a recognizable politician in America today – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– Minister Sikorski approached the President, greeted him, and reported on his talks that took place in Washington – Wojciech Kolarski said on Polsat News, when asked if a meeting between President Duda, Radosław Sikorski, and Bogdan Klich had occurred in the corridors of the CPAC conference.

– Minister Sikorski was also a participant in this conference, he arrived there and came to greet the President and exchange a few words – he continued.

– We couldn't walk across the room, there were so many requests for photos. Today Andrzej Duda is a global politician, recognized in America, and I understand the envy and political jealousy, and that's simply where these fairy tales and attempts at disparagement come from. This is unfortunately typical of Polish politics; if someone rises above, if someone is recognized in America, if the President of America speaks about Andrzej Duda in such a way, we must capitalize on it – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– The President reiterates every time that security matters are fundamental for all of us, for Poland, for Poles, and they must be kept outside of the ongoing political dispute. And the President not only says this, but acts on it, unlike, unfortunately, Prime Minister Tusk, who one day appeals for all political forces to gather around security matters, to unite, and then the next day attacks the opposition – said Wojciech Kolarski on Polsat News.

– I think the White House will be informing about this soon. We are discussing an increased American commitment here [in Poland]. There were two parts to the meeting – the first was the one where the media showed photos, and I participated in it. During that part, there was no mention of it [sending soldiers to Ukraine]. Later, President Duda had a long, one-on-one conversation, and I am unable to answer this question here – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– The Random Case Assignment System works in such a way that Judge [Justyna Koska-Janusz] was randomly assigned to this case, and that's that. […] This is about, as I understand it, the ordinary adjudication of the Justice Fund case. She is one of the judges at the District Court in Warsaw – said Adam Bodnar in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on TOK FM Morning.

– The judge did indeed win the case [against Zbigniew Ziobro concerning the violation of personal rights], and I had to apologize to the judge on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, because that verdict became legally binding only after Zbigniew Ziobro was no longer in office – he pointed out.

– Despite everything, even if it concerns the Justice Fund, I have the impression that the fact she had this dispute with Zbigniew Ziobro in no way affects her ability to independently judge the case, which concerns 6 people and is very thoroughly and properly documented – he assessed.

As he stated: – I might approach this in a way that I wouldn't apply the philosophy of action that Minister Ziobro tries to instill in us, that he sees suspicion and conspiracies everywhere. I think that true judges are very principled in their assessment of various situations. However, here, of course, in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure, there is the possibility to file a motion to disqualify a judge, and this, according to procedure, is referred to another panel which then adjudicates it.

– Hence the convocation of the National Security Council […] to discuss the most important matters that are taking place in this new international situation. The President will certainly also present his view after his conversations with Secretary Hegseth and General Kellogg, and of course with President Trump – said Wojciech Kolarski on Polsat News.

– Many presidents and prime ministers sent SMS messages and made contact. In the coming days, there will be meetings following this. I will not name these individuals, as these are President Duda's meetings, not mine – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– The president's plane arrived earlier than scheduled. We had planned for later, but the president decided that instead of going to the hotel, we would go to the conference to hold meetings in the VIP room, such as with the head of CPAC. Minister Sikorski was also there, who came to greet President Duda, and making a big fuss that the president arrived early – where else was he supposed to go, sit in the audience and listen to speeches? – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– This tradition, established since the presidency of Lech Wałęsa, of consulting with the President, a certain custom, has not been observed. The custom was broken, in that this candidacy [of Bogdan Klich] was not discussed and agreed upon with the President, and it is the President, by the power of the Constitution, who appoints ambassadors – said Wojciech Kolarski on Polsat News.

– If this good custom is restored, then the conversation will begin – he continued, when asked if negotiations on this matter could resume between the Presidential Palace and the Government.

– That’s the essence of an independent judiciary: that neither you, Madam Editor, nor I know how the court will behave in this situation. What’s more, we wouldn’t even want to know, nor would we want to find out in any way or influence the court in this situation – said Adam Bodnar on TOK FM’s Morning program, when asked about the Pegasus investigation committee’s motion for the arrest of Zbigniew Ziobro.

– It was a speech about American affairs, and I was sitting at the back, and I think that when the president applauded, he was applauding President Trump when, for example, he spoke well of Poland as an example of an excellent ally – said Wojciech Kolarski in Polsat News, when asked if President Andrzej Duda had a problem applauding Donald Trump's sharp speech.

– Minister Sikorski was also at this meeting, at this speech. Perhaps MEP Budka will ask his party colleague how he behaved, whether he applauded, whether he agrees with those words, or not – he continued, when asked about Borys Budka's post "unfortunately God has left America".

– So, I think he certainly didn't applaud after such words – he added, when asked that "if Trump says that Joe Biden, everything he touched, he turned into sh*t, it was difficult for the president to applaud".

– I have said more than once that in this matter we have one of the important pieces of evidence, namely Jarosław Kaczyński's letter to Zbigniew Ziobro stating “be careful with this [Justice] Fund, because there will be trouble”. Zbigniew Ziobro was the addressee of this letter. Secondly, there were Supreme Audit Office (NIK) reports on the Justice Fund, to which Minister Ziobro did not respond at all. This is precisely Minister Dworczyk’s correspondence – said Adam Bodnar in Poranek TOK FM.

– In my opinion, it will be difficult for Minister Ziobro to hide behind the claim that “some subordinate official in the Ministry of Justice supervised this, a deputy minister, and I knew nothing about it, I had no knowledge” – he stated.

– Earlier, during the hybrid summit, partly online and partly in person, the President will deliver an address, speaking to European leaders and to Volodymyr Zelensky – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– Let's give Prosecutor Woźniak, the investigative team, a chance to continue leading the case. Approximately one-third of the entire evidentiary material has been analyzed for the purposes of the proceedings. I think that even the coming weeks will bring new, important developments regarding this case [the Justice Fund] – said Adam Bodnar on TOK FM's Morning Show.

– I don't want to pre-empt, but I am saying that the investigation is still evolving. The fact that an indictment has been filed does not close the entire story – he added.

– With 28%, you are not a strong prime minister, let's look at Donald Tusk. He was a strong prime minister for a short while, about a year, because he didn't win the elections, and already today these appendages are starting to kick back – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– If Karol Nawrocki had won the election, it would have caused an unprecedented shock in politics, which would have likely seen a coalition change, and would certainly have led to a situation where if the president submitted such a bill, it would have had a very serious chance of passing. This is because parties forming today's coalition would either be preparing to change coalitions and form one with PiS, or they would start calculating because they feared they wouldn't make it in – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– I assess the first part of his [Karol Nawrocki's] campaign, after a failed start, a false start with his weak speech, I assess it positively. I assess it well, today a certain lack of ideas is visible, but you can't run such a long campaign constantly just at high speed. I hope there is an idea for this campaign, that there is a strategy for this campaign – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

– I am, of course, keeping my fingers crossed for the right-wing candidates. More so for Mr. Nawrocki, because if I joined PiS in my first year of studies, then I simply have such views, but I appreciate what Sławomir Mentzen is doing and I hope he will turn a party of happenings into a serious party – he continued.

– President Duda's presence at the CPAC conference, which gathers many important representatives of the current United States administration, the sideline conversations, the discussion also with President Trump, is an important element of conducting politics and striving to ensure Poland's voice is heard. I think that if Rafał Trzaskowski were president today, and he had won the elections 5 years ago, this voice would not be heard – stated Paweł Szefernaker on the program "Sedno sprawy" on Radio Plus.

– PiS MPs will also be involved in meetings across Poland, and such meetings, not together with the candidate, but meetings of PiS parliamentarians, including PiS leaders, will be organized, but as I said, these will be activities undertaken alongside Karol Nawrocki's campaign. MPs, including PiS leaders, will inform and encourage voting for presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, whom PiS supports – stated Paweł Szefernaker on Radio Plus.

– No other politician in Poland has such an opportunity for the United States administration to hear the Polish voice on this matter. If Donald Tusk or another Polish official holding important positions has such possibilities, let them use them, but they simply do not exist today. The Donald Trump administration maintains these relations with those who have nurtured these relationships for years, who have acted diplomatically over these years, and that was the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland – said Paweł Szefernaker on Radio Plus.

– The Internal Security Agency […] currently, as part of an ongoing investigation, has taken action by sending inquiries to volunteer fire brigades across Poland that have received support from the KGHM foundation in recent years – said Paweł Szefernaker at a press conference.

– An institution whose daily duty should be preventing acts of terror has initiated proceedings concerning how volunteer firefighters […] obtained such essential equipment for saving lives and property – he continued.

– During the rule of Law and Justice from 2016 to 2023, we invested in the State Fire Service and volunteer fire brigades. Over these 9 years, volunteer fire brigades alone received over 5,000 new fire trucks and tens of thousands of pieces of equipment […]. Today, we learn that after years when volunteer firefighters received such equipment […] under the Civic Platform government, they must account for it to the Internal Security Agency – he went on to say.

– This is paralyzing the state. The Internal Security Agency should be concerned with other matters, not pursuing volunteer firefighters […]. As the Parliamentary Club of Law and Justice, we are today coming forward with an offer of legal assistance for all those volunteer firefighters who require it in connection with the investigations by the Internal Security Agency – he added.

– It was worth flying to the United States and being received as the first European leader for these talks, and history is being made, truly crucial matters are unfolding, so every minute spent in direct conversation with a key player like Donald Trump has its immeasurable value – said Marcin Przydacz at a press conference, when asked about the duration of Andrzej Duda's conversation with Donald Trump and the setting in which the presidents' meeting took place.

– No conversation with a minister, deputy minister, or ambassador will provide the same quality as a conversation with President Trump. I understand that many politicians today are trying to find fault and scrutinize supposed shortcomings – he continued.

– One can always do something better, one can always do something worse. It seems to me that we should all be pleased that such direct contacts are happening and that this Polish perspective is heard in the White House, because if the Polish President isn't speaking directly to President Trump, then perhaps someone else will fill that space, and that would not always be in our interest – he went on to say.

– The high cost of living is the hallmark of this government. You say Tusk, you think high cost of living. I think all Poles have this encoded in their minds. At various meetings, people are starting to bring me 'bills of horror', they say: we're afraid to look at that orange field there, others mention some other colours, where there are increases in gas, electricity prices, heating – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

– I am calling on Tusk to immediately lower food prices. We did it, there is a simple way. Lower VAT on food to 0%. Just as we did when the high cost of living and inflation were a problem for Poles during the time we were in power, but then prices were supposed to be lower, and they are getting higher and higher. Carrots – 160% increase since the elections. Rice – 60% since the elections. Eggs – 46% since the elections in October 2023. Butter also 46% – he continued.

– The Prosecutor's Office is a tool in the hands of Tusk and Bodnar to implement their perfidious political plans. Only an independent candidate who wins the presidential election can ensure that this government finally gets to work. That is the reality, that is what they fear – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

– I assess them extremely highly. I believe that the competencies of both Paweł Szefernakera and the entire team, the entire staff, are truly at the highest possible level, considering the limited financial and media resources they have at their disposal – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

– I believe it turned out very, very well that the President [Duda] went there, that he met President Trump at such a critical moment in history, I don't hesitate to use those words. He is one of the very few leaders of the entire free world who met with President Trump and discussed the most important matters – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

– Three years have passed since the outbreak of war, and we still haven't started building even one artillery ammunition factory, with our annual production lasting only three days of fighting – wrote Sławomir Mentzen on social media.

– We are unprepared for a potential war. We had several years for this, which we have unfortunately wasted. I completely don't understand this. Is it really that difficult for our politicians to foresee that weapons and ammunition are needed in war? – he emphasized.

– Let's hope this war ends quickly, Ukraine defends itself, and no Polish politician will consider sending our soldiers there – he added.

Minęły już trzy lata od wybuchu wojny, a my dalej nie rozpoczęliśmy budowy chociaż jednej fabryki amunicji artyleryjskiej, której nasza roczna produkcja wystarcza na trzy dni walki.

Jesteśmy nieprzygotowani do ewentualnej wojny. Mieliśmy na to kilka lat, które niestety…

— Sławomir Mentzen (@SlawomirMentzen) February 24, 2025

– Szymon Hołownia’s clear strategy is to attack Konfederacja to maintain interest in himself. To attack, contrary to facts, the German right-wing, to distract from how they themselves allow German services to mass-deliver illegal immigrants and cancel investments on the Oder River that are inconvenient for Germany – Krzysztof Bosak wrote on social media.

– This propagandistic attempt to play on phobias bears a striking resemblance to the tactics of the previous government. Only those at least had a greater connection to reality (reparations, infrastructure disputes) – he emphasized.

Czytelna strategia @szymon_holownia: atakować @KONFEDERACJA_ żeby utrzymać zainteresowanie sobą. Atakować, wbrew faktom, niemiecką prawicę, by odwrócić uwagę od tego jak sami pozwalają niemieckim służbom podrzucać masowo nielegalnych imigrantów i kasują niewygodne dla Niemiec… https://t.co/5xWiQTj9f8

— Krzysztof Bosak ?? (@krzysztofbosak) February 24, 2025

"Why does every decent person stand with Ukraine today? Why do free nations today pay tribute to the heroes and victims of this inhumane war? Because it is a war in defense of all of us: Ukraine, Poland, Europe, and our values. Let no one try to undermine the meaning of this fight!" – wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X.

Dlaczego każdy przyzwoity człowiek stoi dziś przy Ukrainie? Dlaczego wolne narody składają dziś hołd bohaterom i ofiarom tej nieludzkiej wojny? Bo to wojna w obronie nas wszystkich: Ukrainy, Polski, Europy i naszych wartości. Niech nikt nie próbuje podważać sensu tej walki!

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 24, 2025

– We are meeting on a special day. We are meeting on the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine. The war, which according to the Russian aggressor was initially supposed to last three days, then three weeks, as we remember very well, has now been going on for three years, it continues to this day, and Ukraine is still defending itself – said President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council meeting.

– Today we are meeting at a moment when prospects have emerged for ending this war, or at least for negotiating some kind of ceasefire, meaning, first and foremost, achieving an outcome where people stop dying – he continued.

– A few hours ago, I participated in a leaders' summit taking place today in Kyiv, specifically in connection with the third anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine. I joined them online and emphasized that from the first day of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Poland has pursued, we have pursued a consistent policy […] of supporting Ukraine in every area – said President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council meeting.

– Poland's stance, one could say, is firm and unchanging here. This war must end with a just and lasting peace, and what that means is a peace that prevents another, perhaps even larger, conflict from erupting in the future. What does that mean? It means that this peace must be such that Russia attacks no one else in the future – stated President Andrzej Duda at the National Security Council.

– Strong and credible security guarantees are important, which should be negotiated in the near future. This is extremely important from the perspective of Poland's security, the security of all of Europe, and not only that, one can confidently say, but also the security of the world – he continued.

– This is the position I consistently present in all conversations I have had and continue to have recently, concerning the security of Poland and our region. Both during my recent meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, and during earlier visits to Warsaw, the most recent ones by the United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and the United States President's Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg – said President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council meeting.

– From these conversations, it unequivocally follows, and I want to emphasize this with all my might, that Poland is an extremely important ally of the United States, and is absolutely perceived as a crucial location on the map of American strategic interests and the building of security zones – he continued.

– There are no plans whatsoever, I have not received any such communication, nor, as far as I know, has the Minister of National Defence, the Deputy Prime Minister, received any indication that the American military presence in Poland is to be limited in any way – said President Andrzej Duda during a meeting of the National Security Council.

– I believe that Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union should be an opportunity to raise key issues related to strengthening security, as well as to reinforce transatlantic relations – said President Andrzej Duda at the National Security Council.

– In my opinion, there is no better place for us today to discuss the European Union than Warsaw, taking advantage of the presidency we hold. Therefore, I must say that I regret that the plans to hold the European Union—United States summits and the European Union—Ukraine summits in Poland, to organize them in our country, were abandoned, because it would have been an excellent opportunity for such discussions – he continued.

– Europe must take greater responsibility for its security and the security of the entire alliance; there is simply no other way, and it is a personal satisfaction for me that very many NATO leaders today speak calmly and consistently that such a solution is absolutely justified, in short, a return to at least the level of defense spending that was incurred by NATO states during the Cold War when Soviet imperialism was a threat – said President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council meeting.

"For years, we have been one of the leaders of the alliance when it comes to spending on the development and modernization of our armed forces. We are purchasing modern equipment for our soldiers, and I don't hesitate to say: the most modern available. This year, we will allocate nearly 5% of our Gross Domestic Product to defense. The total value of arms purchase contracts in recent years amounts to hundreds of billions of zlotys" – said President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council meeting.

"It is important that these ambitious programs for our armed forces, initiated in recent years, including by the previous government when Mr. Mariusz Błaszczak was the Minister of National Defense, are now being continued, and new programs are being added, for which I am immensely grateful to the Minister of National Defense, Deputy Prime Minister [Kosiniak-Kamysz]" – he continued.

– I was concerned by the recent proposal from the government that representatives of the President should not participate in government meetings dedicated to security and defense. This is a manifestation of an absolutely opposite trend, unfortunately. This change will strike not so much at me as the President of the Republic, who is still in office today but will soon conclude his presidential mission, but rather at the newly elected president – stated President Andrzej Duda at the National Security Council.

“At the National Security Council, I presented the framework for a national consensus on Ukraine. Everyone understood the need for political unity among Poles in the face of the threat from the East. The President, the Marshals, the leaders of parliamentary clubs. Only Mariusz Błaszczak did not understand” – Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X.

Przedstawiłem na Radzie Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego ramy narodowego konsensusu w sprawie Ukrainy. Potrzebę politycznej jedności Polaków wobec zagrożenia ze wschodu rozumieli wszyscy. Prezydent, Marszałkowie, liderzy klubów parlamentarnych. Tylko Mariusz Błaszczak nie zrozumiał.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 24, 2025

– What I take away from this meeting is, first and foremost, a deep conviction among all of us that there is no specific plan at this moment to end this war that is ongoing in Ukraine. Consequently, we must be fully prepared, above all, to answer questions related to what we can do, rather than looking to others – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference following the National Security Council meeting.

– Courage is lacking in Europe today, it is lacking in a Europe that is unable to utilize at least some of the frozen Russian assets to provide money to Ukraine so that it can arm and defend itself – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference after the National Security Council meeting.

– There is a lack of courage to decide on a radical increase in funds allocated for armament. Southern European countries, Spain, Italy, have a different perspective, they say: we have our own challenges, we have migration challenges, and therefore we are already participating in the defense of Europe – he continued.

– We must have the courage in this situation to speak the truth, we must have the courage to expect from our partners that they will be even more, even more strongly engaged in this work in Europe. We must truly build a European arms industry today, we must perhaps create new institutions in Europe today, banking and other institutions, which will help us spend even more on building a European arms industry – he went on to say.

– This courage is also courage today, and I expect it from all our allies, the courage to say “Article 5 is binding.” This was also something I put on the table during this National Security Council meeting. Today, if all this is to hold up and Russia is not to win, we must hear from everyone’s lips, “Article 5 is binding,” – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference following the National Security Council meeting.

– I have the impression, and I am not alone in this, that over the last few weeks or months, some have had trouble saying these words. And I'm not just referring to Poland, but if, for example, it were not to be binding with respect to any member state of the alliance, then it would not be binding with respect to all of them, and Putin would already know that, – he continued.

– All statements from all representatives of the political class from various sides were maintained in a similar style: yes, we have different sensitivities, we don’t know certain things, we want to find out, let’s discuss how to do certain things best, but in reality, Mariusz Błaszczak charged towards Donald Tusk’s government, Donald Tusk personally, and the entire coalition – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference after the National Security Council meeting.

– I found no, and I say this with regret, substantive references in his statement, nor did he speak in the discussion later, at least as long as I was at the Council – he continued.

– I don't think there's a need for universal conscription right now, just as I believe that the key issue today, before we argue about universal conscription, is to double arms production in Poland using all available means, secondly, to ensure that the Polish army has everything it needs today, right now, before this production ramps up, and thirdly, to implement and build civil defense in Poland – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference following the National Security Council meeting.

– How can anyone from Poland form an alliance with someone who openly says that these lands here are East Germany? How can anyone even do that? How can anyone still fathom such a thing? […] That today in Poland we have people, I'm talking about Confederation, who are forming an alliance with the AfD, which says that we should trade with the Russians and basically take it easy, calmly – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference after the National Security Council.

– Such Germans, who again are striking deals with Russia over our heads. And Confederation stands in the middle in Poland and applauds them. Have we truly not finished some basic history lessons? Don't we know what this leads to? – he continued.

"Mr. Tusk, the unity of Poles is important, but first and foremost, we must ensure the security of our Homeland. And you are not doing that – there are no crucial armament contracts, there is no 300,000-strong army. Instead, we have damaged relations with the USA. Fix that, then talk about unity. You have no strategy, you have no plans. You are like children in a fog" – Mariusz Błaszczak wrote on X, responding to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's post.

"Professor Lech Kaczyński, may he rest in peace, spoke about unity in the face of the threat from the East years ago. Back then, you called the President a Russophobe, while you walked with Putin on the Sopot pier" – he continued.

Panie Tusk, jedność Polaków jest ważna, ale przede wszystkim trzeba zadbać o bezpieczeństwo naszej Ojczyzny. A Wy tego nie robicie – nie ma najważniejszych kontraktów zbrojeniowych, nie ma 300-tysięcznej armii. Są za to zniszczone relacje z USA. Naprawcie to, potem mówcie o…

— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) February 24, 2025

– Two envoys of President Donald Trump have been in Warsaw recently. The first was the Secretary of Defense, the new head of the Pentagon, Mr. Hegseth. The second was Gen. Kellogg, the U.S. President's Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia. […] Both visited the Presidential Palace. Very important meetings, and in a sense, my visit to Washington at the invitation of President Donald Trump was a completion of them – said President Andrzej Duda in a statement after the end of the National Security Council session.

– This is what we discussed primarily today. I briefed the NSC attendees on my meeting with President Donald Trump, the conclusions of that meeting, and also my thoughts, also in the context of conversations I had previously conducted – he indicated.

– I am glad that everyone shares my opinion that the issue of security should always be prioritized above all political divisions. […] Once again, I have appealed to the Prime Minister and the government to withdraw the introduction of such a legal solution that allows for the elimination of the President of the Republic of Poland's representatives from these types of debates within the Council of Ministers committees – said President Andrzej Duda in a statement after the National Security Council meeting concluded.

– Unfortunately, despite our protests, such a new legal solution is being proposed. So I hope there will be no attempt to introduce it, given that it contradicts the idea of good cooperation and collaboration on security matters – he assessed.

– I always say that issues related to Poland's security must be addressed jointly, above political disputes. Disputes are, of course, a natural part of democracy, […] however, there are indeed issues that require calm analysis, a serious approach, and should be free from unnecessary, – I apologize for the word – bickering. And I am pleased that the RBN, under my leadership, operates precisely in this manner – said President Andrzej Duda in a statement following the National Security Council meeting.

– Everyone knows that a great deal is happening in the security sphere, that the process of preparing for peace negotiations has in fact begun, initiated by President Donald Trump – said President Andrzej Duda in a statement after the National Security Council meeting concluded.

– I think it should be clear that as far as Poland's security is concerned, the absolute key is the return to the primacy of international law, the principle of non-aggression, and the path to this leads only through a just peace. The path to a just peace must be an agreement to which Ukraine will also be a party, an agreement that will not be made over Poland and over the European Union, because it's not about this peace appearing in Ukraine, it's about this peace being lasting – stated Adrian Zandberg after a session of the National Security Council.

– Of course [President Duda reported on his meeting with President Trump], and these declarations were made, the point is that today we do not need general, good-sounding incantations, but very concrete actions. I mention this not by chance and stubbornly talk about our industrial capabilities – stated Adrian Zandberg after the National Security Council meeting.

– Here and now, today, when it comes to our security, the absolutely crucial thing is our readiness concerning industry, our readiness concerning defense capabilities. These are matters no one will handle for us, and getting used to the idea that the mere fact of being in an alliance with the United States will always solve all our security problems, I think it's time to accept that the world is changing very rapidly in this regard – said Adrian Zandberg after the National Security Council meeting.

– I hope the Prime Minister will re-examine this matter and the government will withdraw these proposals [amendments to the Act on the Council of Ministers] – said President Andrzej Duda in a statement after the National Security Council meeting concluded.

– This is not just about my situation as president today. You all know perfectly well that in a few months I will definitively end my presidential service. I'm not saying I'm retiring from politics, but I am definitively ending my presidential service – he stated.

– I would like my successor not to encounter regulations that would hinder or enable the exclusion of their representatives from meetings of the Council of Ministers' committees – he emphasized.

– Mr. Błaszczak, I think, was a bit out of place and time, and I believe he mistook the meeting for another. But I won't go into details. I believe that PiS should reflect on the times when they were in power and we were in opposition, and when it came to matters like the war in Ukraine, like aid to Ukraine, we did not attack the government, we did not attack the president, because these are absolutely fundamental issues for the entire state. Playing out one's animosities over these matters, because someone is disliked, truly, certain issues should be kept separate from that – said Anna Maria Żukowska after the National Security Council session.

– You will not hear words of criticism regarding the meeting between our president and President Trump, because it was the American side that organized it in such a way that it looked like it did. It could have looked better, of course, but you cannot blame the president for that, as he uses every opportunity to raise issues important to us and to remind President Trump who started the war, who is the aggressor, and who is being attacked – stated Anna Maria Żukowska after the National Security Council meeting.

– I thank all the participants of the NSC for a very good and necessary meeting. I announced that they can certainly expect further meetings of the NSC – said President Andrzej Duda in a statement after the conclusion of the National Security Council session.

As he justified: – We currently have […] a specific situation, and a lot is indeed happening regarding security in our part of Europe. Furthermore, important security-related events are approaching, such as the NATO summit in The Hague.

– It is not an easy task today to beat populists in elections. I know something about it. My sincerest congratulations – wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the X portal, addressing Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU/CSU bloc, which won Sunday's elections and will likely be the future Chancellor of Germany.

It is not an easy task today to beat the populists in the elections. I know something about it. My sincerest congratulations, dear @_FriedrichMerz!

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 24, 2025

– What took place at the National Security Council (RBN) is covered by a confidentiality clause in its details, so I would prefer not to refer to exactly what was said. However, I will say this – it was a good discussion, I highly appreciate this meeting, it was important to me because maintaining unity regarding Poland's security policy, both internal and external, is of immense significance to me – stated President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News’ “Gość Wydarzeń” (Guest of Events).

– We did not have an opportunity [with Prime Minister Tusk] for a one-on-one conversation today. The Prime Minister left shortly before the end of the RBN session because he had a very brief conversation with me; he had other important matters to attend to – he continued.

– Yes, it came [the invitation from Washington] literally in the last few days. We had, of course, discussed meeting with President Trump earlier, but the date had not yet been set by the White House, and indeed, an invitation for a specific day, specifically to Washington, came from the State Department. Therefore, considering the current situation, I had no doubts that I had to go immediately and talk directly with the President of the USA, since such an opportunity arose – stated President Andrzej Duda on Polsat News’s “Gość Wydarzeń” (Guest of Events).

– I'm curious what these critics would say if I hadn't flown, if I had said: no, it's not worth going for 15 minutes for Poland's security. Mr. Editor, an important meeting took place, during which the President and I exchanged the most important matters, we discussed cooperation, and Poland's security. I heard once again assurances that we, as one of the most credible allies here in Europe, who are currently at the absolute forefront in terms of our defense spending, are a linchpin of the alliance – stated President Andrzej Duda in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

– President Trump is an absolutely credible partner for me, a politician of great class, of great stature, who perhaps works in politics in an unconventional way, because he is not a politician by trade, but simply a businessman. He has been involved in business his whole life, so he may behave in an unusual way, especially for European politicians. He says what he thinks and what he wants to achieve directly – stated President Andrzej Duda in “Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

– President Trump told me that he has to end this killing, this war, and therefore he has to negotiate with both President Putin and Zelensky. I only told President Trump – these are difficult negotiations, because everyone knows that President Putin is no ordinary politician; he is a KGB officer, from the Russian special services, educated, trained, possessing unique skills that are not standard in the world of politics, and one must be very careful in conversations with him – stated President Andrzej Duda on "Gość Wydarzeń" Polsat News.

– Poland, both in Warsaw after the National Security Council meeting and here at the UN, speaks with one voice: we express our solidarity with Ukraine, which is heroically fighting. We stand for peace, but for peace based on truth, on lasting foundations, and with respect for the rights of the victim of aggression – said Radosław Sikorski in a conversation with journalists.

– We respect the democratic choices of our largest trading partner and ally. Of course, the high result of a party that sends mixed signals regarding the recognition of borders is concerning. I am only surprised that there are Polish politicians who sympathize with German nationalists – said Radosław Sikorski in a conversation with journalists.

– Hungary's stance, its lack of solidarity with Ukraine, with the invaded country, is not new, although it still surprises me. Hungary was also a victim of Soviet aggression back then, and the Polish nation did not say we were for peace; instead, we showed solidarity with Hungary. Today, unfortunately, Hungary is not showing this solidarity – stated Radosław Sikorski in a conversation with journalists.

– NATO without the United States? Anything is possible, but what's the point. I'll say this, if there is some security alliance without the United States, then in my opinion, its guarantees without the world's strongest superpower will simply be illusory – said President Andrzej Duda in Polsat News.

– The April date is one of several possibilities we are considering. Let's remember that we have the Three Seas Summit, then a NATO summit, so there are several opportunities here – stated President Andrzej Duda on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events).

– Yes, I spoke with the Secretary of Commerce, and he pledged that this matter would be resolved. I also spoke about it with President Donald Trump, and I think we can expect a change in this decision soon – President Andrzej Duda told Polsat News, when asked about the talks concerning chips.

– I assume so [Poland will be in the first category of allies and will receive more chips]. I hope it was an accident on the part of President Biden's administration – he continued.

– Such a commitment was made by the Secretary of Commerce, and President Trump said that it needs to be resolved – he added.

– I'm not afraid that President Trump will sell out Ukraine, because President Trump knows that America has invested enormous amounts of money in Ukraine. After all, this issue of money, it keeps coming up. For some, it's outrageous that there's talk of billions that have been transferred to Ukraine by the USA. But yes, President Trump says – they were transferred from the pocket of the American taxpayer, whom I represent as president, and I have the right to expect that the USA will also get something out of it – stated President Andrzej Duda in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

– In this sense, it is rather President Trump who cares that Ukraine is not sold into Russian hands, but remains. And I'll say even more – I told President Zelensky the same thing when we spoke on the phone before my trip to Washington. With President Trump, since he presented such a proposal, one must calmly discuss, remembering that we are dealing with a businessman, with whom, in a sense, one simply has to haggle – he continued.

– Yes, if President Putin called me, I would obviously answer. Because I assume that these are important matters concerning Polish policy and Polish security, and such a call should be answered. That is the duty of the President of Poland. To engage in talks if necessary – said President Andrzej Duda in Polsat News, when asked if he would answer a call from Vladimir Putin.

– Perhaps I wouldn't be delighted about it, but it's not about doing only what one is delighted about – he continued.

– I understand there are emotions above all. Volodymyr Zelensky certainly also said at least one word too many. Unnecessarily, in my opinion, these are emotions. I told President Zelensky this, that these were unnecessary emotions – stated President Andrzej Duda on Polsat News’s "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events).

– I hope that we will build an ammunition factory soon; I recently signed a law concerning precisely such investments in Poland, and I hope it will facilitate the construction of an ammunition factory, because it is indeed needed – said President Andrzej Duda in Polsat News.

– I propose that Germany give us its relations with the USA. We will gladly take them along with all the American troops stationed in Germany. Welcome, you are very warmly welcome. If Germany doesn't want American troops, if it doesn't want a partnership with the USA, we will gladly accept the partnership with the USA – stated President Andrzej Duda on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".

– Do you think this is the time to stop isolating Russia? – asked the journalist.

– No. This is the time to arm even more intensely – replied Radosław Sikorski.

– We witnessed a traditional display of arrogance, propaganda, lies, and hypocrisy from the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, to whom I traditionally recalled that Ukraine has been a member of the UN for many decades longer than the Russian Federation and has a longer history than Russia. A history that Russia, with the help of Tsarist and later Communist propaganda, is simply trying to steal – stated Radosław Sikorski in a conversation with journalists.

– Unfortunately, it’s a shame that despite repeatedly announcing that such a summit should take place during Poland’s presidency, Prime Minister Tusk has essentially resigned from it. Unfortunately, he has even resigned from holding a European summit here in our country, because a meeting of the leaders of the European Union states and governments should have taken place, an informal, customary one […] it normally takes place in the country holding the presidency, it should have been held in Poland – said President Andrzej Duda in Polsat News.

– Unfortunately, Prime Minister Tusk resigned from this. Perhaps the Prime Minister resigned because, according to the law […] I, as the President of the Republic, would have presided over this summit held in our country. I lament that this happened, I believe it is detrimental to Poland and our image – he continued.

– First and foremost, it’s a shame that […] he resigned from the European Union-Ukraine and European Union-United States summits, because it would have been a truly spectacular event related to attempts to prepare peace negotiations, and it would have really enabled Europe to have a serious conversation with the United States about participation, and by resigning from this, it essentially knocks the argument for Europe’s participation at the negotiating table out of our hands – he further stated.

– There is an agreement on this matter, because the Minister of Foreign Affairs is restoring the standard procedure, which has always been the case, starting with the president's preliminary acceptance of the candidate, because the procedure that was attempted to be destroyed is, after all, being restored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meaning the normal one that has always existed. I am, of course, ready to proceed with these procedures – said President Andrzej Duda in Polsat News, when asked about the issue of ambassadors.

– It's not about blocking, it's about not infringing upon the president's constitutional prerogatives. […] Yes [I cooperate with Minister Sikorski], Mr. Minister Sikorski knows of a few candidacies regarding which I have reservations, which are, moreover, motivated, and which I have informed the minister about, along with the reasons why. However, there are several dozen ambassadors, or rather candidates, and for the absolute majority, there are no reservations – he continued.

– Of course, as soon as these complete documents are with us, it will be implemented – he added.

– I have already stated which candidate is closest to my heart. There’s no point in hiding that the candidate who shares the most aligned views with me on many state matters, historical policy, perspective on family matters, and perspective on social actions that should be undertaken, is the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki – said President Andrzej Duda in Polsat News.

– I think there was a surprising convergence of positions and a concern for Poland, by Polish political class standards. But there wasn’t a conclusion of a certain nature: we are leaving with some agreement and now we will do something together, because it was all a bit of a chat, to be honest, as is usually the case at RBN meetings – said Szymon Hołownia in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24’s ‘Kropka nad i’.

– He said similar things [during the National Security Council meeting]. But what else is he supposed to say? I really don’t want to get dragged into the PiS-Platforma dispute again, this time in the context of Ukraine’s security and bloodshed, because that’s not what it’s about at all – Szymon Hołownia said on TVN24’s “Kropka nad i,” when asked about Mariusz Błaszczak’s post.

– If someone doesn’t understand what’s at stake today, what we’re discussing today, they should better keep their mouth shut. I feel sorry having to comment on such pronouncements – he stated.

– AfD are those Germans who would most gladly sell us out to the Russians. And this needs to be said clearly when you read their program about the necessity of détente with Russia, gas trade, and other things, when you hear about East Germany being "central" Germany. They don't hold back at all – stated Szymon Hołownia in TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

– If someone says things that sent chills down our spines 10-20 years ago and has colleagues here in Poland, in Konfederacja, who are forming alliances with them in Europe, then I have the right to clearly state: not on my watch – he emphasized.

As he declared: – As long as I am the Marshal of the Sejm, there will be no official contacts, delegations, or similar meetings involving AfD.

– I cannot [forbid Konfederacja]. If they invite someone to the building, they will invite them. However, even if they do, I will clearly say: "dear Konfederacja members, you are now pretending to be a centrist, calm, balanced party, you are someone who wants to put us in the hands of those Germans who will sell us to Russia." And this needs to be said today with full responsibility, and an alarm needs to be sounded – he stated.

– I don't play on phobias, I read their program. Mr. Speaker Bosak, doesn't the AfD want to trade with Russia, also using money stained with blood? Isn't the leader of the AfD pursuing revanchist policies towards Poland, suggesting that our lands are eastern Germany? Isn't this happening? – said Szymon Hołownia in "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

– I understand it's hard to explain this away. […] Of course, candidate Mentzen won't mention it either – he added.

– Three months before the 2023 elections, it was exactly the same, and in Konfederacja, champagne corks were popping and confetti was flying because they were forming a government. And how it ended in October – we remember – said Szymon Hołownia on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (The Dot Over the 'i').

– It may be that [Sławomir Mentzen will overtake Karol Nawrocki in the polls] […] However, when you dissect this candidacy – what do the people who follow Mentzen want? They want some kind of change. But if people see what kind of change Mentzen is proposing, then I am absolutely convinced that he will not maintain this result – he stated.

– This is dangerous for Poland. Confederation's alliance with AfD is a fundamental threat to Poland. I hope we will understand this – said Szymon Hołownia on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program.