Tusk: Polish Army Will Be the Largest in Europe

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated today in Gdynia, at the naval parade, that Poland does not want new battles, that it wants to avoid war, but that only those who are strong, prepared, truly independent, and sovereign can do so.

“Our army, our armed forces, will soon be the largest in Europe. Even today, we can say that we are creating a force that will decide the fate of the region, as it is modern, numerous, and admired by the whole world, especially our allies,” said the Polish Prime Minister.

Tusk emphasized that Poland is not arming itself because of the ambitions of certain politicians, but due to difficult geopolitical circumstances that require increased investment in security.

“Today we proudly say to the whole world, but above all to those who would like to cross our borders illegally or invade by force: you will not pass without the permission of the Polish state. We have invested the efforts of thousands of soldiers, border guards, and police in this,” Tusk said regarding the strengthened protection of Poland’s and the European Union’s border with Belarus and Russia and the so-called Eastern Shield defense project. 

As further pillars of Poles’ security, the Prime Minister, in addition to a strong economy and major investments in the army, cited genuine alliances and wise foreign policy, giving as an example the strategic alliance with the countries around the Baltic Sea, as well as with France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

“We can discuss Polish-Ukrainian relations, but no one can doubt that we are helping Ukraine in the war with Russia for our own security. We are doing this for ourselves, for Polish women and men, for no one else,” said Tusk, adding that Poland played a key role in preventing divisions within NATO and in avoiding being forced to choose between the USA and Europe.

Tusk cited domestic political disputes as a threat to security, accusing the opposition of trying to create divisions and, forgetting Russia as Poland’s main enemy, labeling the European Union and Germany as such.

“Those parties, those politicians who try to convince you that our main problem is Europe, that our enemy is Ukraine, that we do not need the EU, and that the German is the worst enemy. Somehow they forget Russia, the dangerous neighbor waging war near our borders, and from time to time that war crosses onto our side of the border,” Tusk said.

The Prime Minister warned that some politicians from the opposition conservative nationalists flee to hide in Belarus or the Russian sphere of influence when they should be held criminally accountable in their homeland.

On the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw in the Polish-Soviet War, in which the advance of the Red Army to the west was stopped and which is celebrated as the national Armed Forces Day, the Polish Prime Minister reminded that Poland can only be safe if there is no treason or extreme irresponsibility within the country itself.

This year, Tusk chose to mark Armed Forces Day at the naval parade, while President Karol Navrocki attended the annual military parade in Warsaw.

In Gdynia and Gdańsk, a convoy of 20 Polish warships and two from Sweden, stretching five kilometers, is being presented, and above them fly some of the Polish and allied aircraft that also patrol the Baltic as part of NATO.