Use of chemical weapons is barbaric: Polish official

Karczewski was referring to chemical attacks by the Syrian regime in Douma, near Damascus, and the suspected nerve agent attack on a Russian ex-spy in Salisbury, southern England.

He said Poland backed the UK’s decision to expel Russian diplomats and suspend ties with Moscow, and US-led military action in Syria.

Polish officials have previously voiced support for US-led airstrikes in Syria and showed solidarity with the UK after the Salisbury attack.

Karczewski also said NATO faced a threat. “It exists on the eastern flank where Russian aggression against Ukraine continues,” he said, adding that regional security needed to be based on “military deterrence and … dialogue with Russia”.

Karczewski said that countries in the Bucharest Group should ensure that a July NATO summit in Brussels is “a show of strength and solidarity with the alliance”.

The Bucharest Group is made up of Poland, Romania, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The meeting on Wednesday was the first to bring together parliamentary officials from countries in the group. (vb/pk)

Source: IAR