US ambassador pledges Poland will be defended

Mull spoke at a gathering at the American Embassy in Warsaw attended by Poland's defence minister Tomasz Siemoniak, two days before the official Fourth of July anniversary.

“I guarantee that we will, in fact we already are here with our soldiers and equipment to defend you against any threats, just as you defended us,” Mull said, with ongoing NATO military exercises taking place across Poland.

The recent wave of joint exercises came in the wake of anxiety over the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Defence Minister Siemoniak thanked the outgoing ambassador for his efforts to strengthen the NATO alliance during his tenure, noting that Mull was always ready to help.

“Poles believe in the alliance with the United States, and more recently, during the period of threats in Europe, they could experience this alliance [at first hand],” the minister said.

Siemoniak likewise drew attention to the service of Polish troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With US Independence Day looming, Mull said that Poland is an ideal country in which to celebrate freedom.

“Regarding the struggle and willingness to make sacrifices for freedom, our Polish friends have taught us a great deal, from Kościuszko and Pułaski on the battlefield for our independence and through the inspiring, vast Polish victory over Soviet communism to Captain Krzysztof Woźniak, who gave his life along with dozens of other Poles fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Americans in Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, NBA basketball star Marcin Gortat, who has made an outstanding career in the US, was presented with an award during Thursday's celebrations. (nh)