During the celebrations to mark Polish Armed Forces Day in Gdynia, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the country’s main objective is “to prevent war through a strong army, reliable allies and a state of readiness for defence”.
“We no longer want battles, but if they do take place, we want to win them. We want to avoid war, and only those who are strong, well-prepared, independent and sovereign can avoid it,” said Tusk.
He emphasised that the current military parades in Gdynia and Warsaw are “a kind of signal to potential adversaries of Poland’s readiness to defend its territory”.
Tusk identified four key components of Poland’s security. Firstly, he identified secure national borders. According to him, the country’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus is “reliable”, and strengthening it has required significant resources and the deployment of thousands of military personnel, border guards and police officers.
The Prime Minister identified ‘strong international alliances and a responsible foreign policy’ as the second element. Among such initiatives, he mentioned the ‘Eastern Shield’ project and Baltic Sentry – a collaboration between the Baltic and Nordic countries, the UK and Germany to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea.
Tusk also highlighted the importance of supporting Ukraine. He stated that aid to Kyiv forms part of Poland’s own security strategy, and that preserving NATO’s unity remains “one of Warsaw’s key priorities”.
The Prime Minister identified the modernisation of the Polish army and a strong economy – which should provide the funding for defence needs – as the third and fourth pillars of security. He stated that the Polish armed forces could soon become “the largest in Europe”.
Tusk also cautioned Polish politicians against actions which, in his view, undermine defence funding or call into question the role of the European Union.
“We are working to ensure that Poland is safe,” said the Prime Minister.
Polish Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 15 August – the anniversary of the Polish army’s victory over the Bolshevik forces in the Battle of Warsaw in 1920.
Poland must be included in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on 9 June, following a meeting in London between the leaders of the UK, Germany and France and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.