Poland’s president Andrzej Duda has said that the Nato member plans to spend more than 4% of its gross domestic product on defence next year amid security concerns over the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

He announced the sum of 137 billion zloty ($33 billion) at the opening of this year’s edition of the region’s biggest trade fair for military equipment, the MSPO in Kielce, Poland, AP reports.

"When we see the emerging danger beyond our eastern border... we know perfectly well - history and experience has taught us this - that any price is worth paying to ensure that Poland is free, sovereign, independent and that Poles can live in safety.

Next year, we plan to spend 137 billion zloty on defence. That is more than four percent of our GDP." He said.

Warsaw has been sounding the alarm on threats that it says are posed by its other neighbour to the east, Belarus, warning against “provocations” especially involving the Wagner mercenary group currently based there.