Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated today, ahead of a European leaders’ meeting in London, that Europe is slowly realizing the paradox of 500 million Europeans asking 300 million Americans to defend them against 140 million Russians.
“Europe has awoken. As I once said in Poland, the giant has woken up, and those who were weak have raised their heads and won. Independence, but not loneliness. A woke Europe, a Europe that knows how to calculate, that understands its global potential, a Europe that is a power – will not be an alternative to the U.S., but rather its most desirable ally,” Tusk said ahead of his trip to London.
Tusk strongly rejected claims from some European leaders who agree with Russia’s demands that Europe stands no chance and that Russia is superior.
“Listen to how it sounds: 500 million Europeans asking 300 million Americans to defend them against 140 million Russians. If you know how to count, count on yourself. Not isolated, but fully aware of your potential. Today, Europe lacks neither economic strength nor people, but the belief that we are a global power,” Tusk remarked.
The Polish prime minister pointed out that it is well-known, and from his own experience, that aggressors, including playground bullies, do not attack the smallest and weakest but those who are afraid.
“There is a shortage of ideas in Europe that we are brave. Europe must recognize its strength, and I will speak about this in London,” Tusk said.
He also shared statistical data indicating that Europe and Ukraine, united against Russia’s aggression, have 2.6 million professional soldiers, compared to the U.S. with 1.3 million, China with 2 million, and Russia with 1.1 million. Europe and Ukraine have 2,091 combat aircraft, while the U.S. has 1,456, China 1,409, and Russia only 1,224.
Tusk stressed that he will strive to help Poland awaken this sense of strength, as such a Europe can guarantee peace, not the capitulation of Ukraine.
“I will support Prime Minister Meloni’s initiative to organize an EU-U.S. summit because it seems necessary. But I will also loudly demand that Europe, all European countries, strengthen the eastern flank. This will be the test of the will to have more European soldiers in Finland, the Baltic States, and Poland on the border with Russia and Belarus,” Tusk stated.
The prime minister noted that the situation has become more complicated after the unfortunate dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but emphasized that Poland’s national interest is to stand with Ukraine while also maintaining its alliance with the U.S.
