Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on European nations to swiftly develop a strategic plan for Ukraine and the security of the continent, warning that if Europe fails to act, its future may be shaped by global powers whose interests do not align with its own.
“Europe urgently needs a plan—its own plan of action regarding Ukraine and our security. Otherwise, other global players will decide our future, and it may not necessarily align with our interests,” Tusk stated on X.
As Poland currently holds the EU presidency, Tusk emphasized the need for immediate action. “We have no time to waste,” he stressed.
Poland Pushes for Increased Defense Spending
Echoing Tusk’s concerns, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski highlighted the necessity for Europe to invest more in its defense, suggesting that military expenditures should match Cold War levels—between three and four percent of GDP annually.
“During the Cold War, such levels of spending were standard. Europe has long benefited from peace, but now we must make up for lost ground. We need to allocate more to defense,” Sikorski stated in an interview with CNN.
U.S. Pressure and European Defense Responsibilities
In response to U.S. calls for European nations to allocate up to five percent of their GDP to defense—an amount only Poland approaches with its 4.7% allocation—Sikorski pointed out that Washington’s military spending extends far beyond NATO territories.
“Let’s remember that Europe does not have global obligations. Our focus is on defending Europe, whereas the U.S. maintains military bases in nearly half the world’s countries. If all European nations contributed two to three percent of GDP, it would be a significant investment in Western security,” Sikorski concluded.
The discussion on defense spending comes amid heightened tensions following Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, further emphasizing the urgency of European nations to establish a united and proactive defense strategy.
