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adding that “we cannot be offended by [this] reality.”
Instead, the PM said, Poland should assess the situation clearly and know what serves its interest best.
According to Tusk, despite Trump’s lack of predictability, the alliance with the US remains the pillar of Poland’s security, alongside its position in Europe. But, Tusk added, “it is not easy to agree the two now.”
Bordering Russia’s ally Belarus, war-torn Ukraine, and Russia that is “[ready-
ing for] a full-scale war in three to four years,” Poland needs to step up the thorough modernisation of its armed forces, including by training all adult
men in a system similar to Switzerland’s, Tusk said.
That could give Poland an army of 500,000 servicemen in a time of conflict, consisting of professional troops and well-trained reservists, Tusk said.
But Poland’s future depends greatly
on where Ukraine will stand following Trump’s onslaught against it, apparently hand in hand with Russia.
“If Ukraine loses the war or accepts peace, a truce, or capitulation on terms that weaken its sovereignty and make it easier for Putin to gain control over Ukraine, then without question – and we will all agree on this – Poland will find itself in a much more difficult
geopolitical situation," Tusk said.
Tusk also mooted Poland’s pulling out from the international conventions banning anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions.
“These are not nice things but the problem is that those who we are afraid of all have them,” Tusk said.
The prime minister said that to meet the plan he outlined Poland should strive to maintain the level of defence expenditure at 5% of GDP next year and in the coming years.
“It will pay off strategically. Not just in the coming few years but in the perspective of decades to come,” Tusk said.
Viktor Orban warns against Ukraine's EU membership, says economic package with US is in the pipeline
bne IntelliNews
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the admission
of Ukraine to the EU would destabilise Europe's economy and its financial stability.
Speaking at the annual economic conference of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK)
on March 7, the prime minister announced the launch of a "consultative referendum" on the issue to poll people's views as quickly as possible. The current legal framework only permits holding binding plebiscites, which, if successful, would oblige the government to act accordingly, analysts said.
Hence the initiative will be another national consultation survey often used by the government to shape public opinion. These informal questionnaires are seen as propaganda tools designed to manipulate respondents through
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the annual economic conference of the Hungarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. / bne IntelliNews
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