Tusk questioned US "loyalty" to Europe's defense and warned of a threat from Russia in "months, not years"
Kyiv • UNN
The Polish Prime Minister called on the EU to create a real defense alliance due to the threat of a Russian attack. Tusk emphasized the importance of practical action on Article 5 of NATO.
The Prime Minister of Poland questioned whether the US is "loyal" to its NATO commitments to defend Europe in the event of a Russian attack, and called on the EU to become a "real alliance" in defending the continent, as reported by the Financial Times, writes UNN.
Details
Donald Tusk told the Financial Times that "the biggest and most important question for Europe is whether the United States is ready to be as loyal as described in our [NATO] treaties," warning that Russia could attack an alliance member within "months," the publication writes.
The unusual statement by the Polish leader reflects growing uncertainty in Europe following threats from US President Donald Trump and his inconsistent commitment to defending the continent, the publication notes.
"For the entire eastern flank, my neighbors... the question is whether NATO is still an organization ready, politically and logistically, to react, for example, against Russia if it tries to attack," he said.
Tusk noted that some members of the US-led defense alliance "pretended nothing happened" when about 20 Russian drones violated Polish airspace last year.
Tusk emphasized that his words should not be taken "as skepticism about Article 5 [NATO's mutual defense commitment], whether it is valid or not, but rather as my dreams that guarantees on paper will turn into something very practical."
"This is something really serious. I'm talking about short-term prospects, months, not years," Tusk said, referring to a potential Russian attack. "It is very important for us to know that everyone will take NATO commitments as seriously as Poland does," he said.
Poland spends the most on defense as a percentage of GDP within NATO, having already reached the alliance's target of 5 percent, and is one of the most consistently pro-NATO and pro-transatlantic countries in Europe, the publication indicates.
Tusk stated that he has "no complexes" regarding US-Polish ties. "Washington treats Poland as its best and closest ally in Europe. But for me, the real problem is what happens in practice if something happens," he pointed out.
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"I want to believe that [Article 5] is still valid, but sometimes, of course, I have some problems," he added. "I don't want to be so pessimistic... but today we also need a practical context."
Tusk cited an example of how about 20 Russian drones violated Polish airspace last year, and some NATO allies were reluctant to consider it an attack. As a result, the alliance scrambled fighter jets that shot down several drones, marking the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russian forces since 2022.
"I had some problems on a September night when the Russians carried out a rather large-scale provocation using drones," Tusk recalled. "It was not easy for me to convince our NATO partners that this was not an accidental incident, but a well-planned and prepared provocation against Poland."
"It was much easier for some of our colleagues to pretend that nothing happened," he said. "Therefore, I want to be sure that if something happens, then... Russia will know that the reaction will be tough and unambiguous."
Tusk's warning came amid an EU summit in Cyprus, where Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty on mutual defense was discussed, in response to Trump's threats to withdraw from NATO and ambiguous wording regarding compliance with Article 5.
The EU aims to play a more significant role in defense in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including financing arms purchases, coordinating weapons production, and uniting member states around common defense infrastructure, such as counter-drone capabilities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this spring that the bloc must "bring to life" Article 42.7. However, many countries remain wary of steps that could be perceived as undermining NATO or questioning the US commitment to defending Europe - the foundation of the continent's security since World War II.
The swift resignation of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of Kremlin head Vladimir Putin, opens the door for discussions on Article 42.7 and an expanded role for the EU in defending the continent, the publication writes.
Tusk stated that while Orbán was in power, there was "no direct connection with Budapest" on defense issues. The election of pro-European conservative Péter Magyar will make Hungary "undoubtedly a much better partner on defense issues and its approach to Russia," Tusk said.
The Polish leader said that discussions on Article 42.7 concerned defining practical ways in which countries would support each other in the event of an attack.
"What you need if you want to have a real alliance not just on paper, but also real tools and real power when it comes to defense tools and military mobility from country to country, etc. This is a very practical problem today," he said.
"That's why my obsession now and my mission is to reintegrate Europe," Tusk added. "This means common defense... common efforts to protect our eastern borders."
"Paradoxically, if there are any positive aspects of the war in Ukraine, this is one of them: Europe is increasingly realizing that we will be together in military aspects [and] defense," he said.