Saturday, 15 March 2025
Following a high-level meeting in London, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the broad support among European leaders for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Tusk underscored that there was no ambiguity regarding where Europe stands in the war, asserting that Ukraine must receive continuous and unwavering backing.
Europe Stands with Ukraine
“The Polish position was exactly in line with the mood in the room. Ukraine requires constant support and the strongest possible position before negotiations with Russia. No one doubts who the aggressor is, who the victim is, and whose side Europe supports in this conflict. Europe stands firmly with Ukraine,” Tusk stated after the meeting.
He reaffirmed that Poland’s national interest demands steadfast and long-term support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. “This is not up for debate,” the Polish Prime Minister added.
Poland’s Role in European Security
Tusk highlighted Poland’s critical role in ensuring security on the eastern borders of both the European Union and NATO, stressing that this responsibility extends beyond military preparedness to political engagement.
“Our country bears a special responsibility for securing the EU’s eastern frontier. This is not just a military challenge but a political one as well. As a front-line state, Poland must be ready for all scenarios. Our security is directly linked to Europe’s stability,” he said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged growing defense commitments among European nations. “Poland remains a model in this regard, but I am pleased to see more countries translating their commitments into action by increasing defense spending. Strengthening the eastern flank of Europe must be an absolute priority,” Tusk noted.
Strengthening Europe’s Defense Capabilities
Amid increasing geopolitical threats, Tusk called for a stronger European self-defense capability. He argued that while Europe is a formidable economic and military power, it must believe in its own strength and act in unison to guarantee its security.
“Europe, together with Ukraine, possesses twice as many warplanes as Russia and has a clear advantage in terms of professional soldiers. The issue is not numbers but the lack of belief in our own strength,” Tusk pointed out, citing data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
According to the figures presented by the Polish Prime Minister:
– Europe and Ukraine have 2.6 million professional soldiers, compared to Russia’s 1.1 million.
– Europe and Ukraine field 2,991 combat aircraft, significantly more than Russia’s 1,224.
– In terms of artillery, Europe and Ukraine have 14,400 units, compared to Russia’s 5,157.
Transatlantic Cooperation and Future Initiatives
Tusk reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United States, emphasizing that European defense expansion does not contradict the transatlantic alliance. Instead, both objectives must be pursued simultaneously.
“There is no question of doubt. We support Ukraine and strengthen our alliance with the United States, regardless of the challenges we face,” Tusk stated.
The Polish Prime Minister also backed an initiative by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to organize a Europe-U.S. summit. He stressed that such a forum could reinforce transatlantic security cooperation and help align European and American positions on Ukraine.
“I have strongly supported Prime Minister Meloni’s proposal to establish a continuous and open dialogue between Europe and the U.S. before negotiations between Ukraine and Russia begin. We must ensure that Europe and the United States speak with one voice,” Tusk remarked.
Ongoing Discussions Among European Leaders
In London, Tusk met with leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey, as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, NATO Secretary General, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Discussions among European leaders will continue on March 6 in Brussels at an extraordinary European Council meeting, where key decisions on Ukraine’s support and Europe’s defense capabilities are expected to be made.
Source: gov.pl
