Poland, the largest beneficiary of the EU’s SAFE program, has launched the construction of the “Eastern Shield” — a 700 km system of fortifications along its borders with Russia and Belarus. The project aims to boost national resilience and defense readiness in light of mounting regional security threats.
“The Shield is a complex project to increase the resilience of the state and its citizens. If you want peace, prepare for war,” said Jacek Brzozowski, a government representative.
However, the initiative has drawn mixed reactions.
- Retired General Jaroslaw Gromadzinski criticized it as a “political and PR project”.
- Colonel Slawomir Walenczynkowski stressed that while fortifications cannot stop an enemy, they allow Poland to “counter with fire measures.”
The €2.4 billion project will be supported in part by preferential EU loans. Still, experts argue that public education and preparedness are just as vital as infrastructure.
“The Americans will not defend us; they can help us defend ourselves. This is our responsibility,” emphasized Professor Aleksandra Skrabacz.
