As of: March 29, 2024, 9:02 a.m
By: Lisa Mahnke
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Poland's Prime Minister sees a new pre-war age emerging. Tusk compares to the Second World War. An interview reveals his demands.
Warsaw – For Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a new pre-war era has long since begun. The reason for this is the Ukraine war, which has now lasted more than two years. “The most worrying thing right now is that literally any scenario is possible,” said Tusk. The head of government sees it as the European task “not to discuss, but to prepare our defense”.
“We have to be ready”: Tusk sees Europe on the right path for defense
In the interview with Die
Welt,
Tusk made a comparison with the Second World War, in which his hometown of Sopot was surprised by the Second World War in 1939. “I don't want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past,” said the Polish Prime Minister. “We have not experienced a situation like this since 1945” – the year in which the Second World War ended.
“I know it sounds devastating, especially for the younger generation, but we have to get used to the fact that a new era has begun: the pre-war period,” said Tusk. He warned against an escalation of the war using the pretext of the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, in which Vladimir Putin had already made allegations of Ukrainian involvement. The 66-year-old explained that Russian cruise missiles that had entered Polish airspace were also worrying. Poland had already begun preparations for war with Russia.
In the interview, the Polish head of government spoke out in favor of more defense spending: “We have to be ready. Europe still has a long way to go.” However, Tusk also praised the change in mentality in Europe, where no one questions the need for a common defense. “Look at Germany, a huge change has taken place there. Today the CDU and SPD are competing to see which of them is more pro-Ukrainian,” said the head of government.
With a view to the election in the USA, Tusk spoke out in favor of more European independence in defense in all scenarios, which would make it more attractive. Even if Trump is re-elected, one must take care of relations with the USA in order to “defend oneself against Russia and other autocracies”.
Pushbacks against “helplessness”? Tusk calls for border protection package for migrants from Russia and Belarus
In view of the alleged instrumentalization of migrants by Russia and Belarus, Tusk called for a border protection pact that should also address this phenomenon. According to media reports, Russia and Belarus increasingly issued visas for migrants last year. The Polish government is currently reacting with pushbacks, but according to Tusk, this is mainly due to the overwhelming demands of the crowds. According to a report by the NGO Protecting Rights at Borders, a total of 3,346 pushbacks took place on the Polish-Belarusian border from May to August 2023.
Donald Tusk warns of an escalation of the war in Ukraine. For him, the pre-war period began over two years ago. © picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Soeder
“Pushbacks as a method are morally unacceptable; “We have to find a better solution, but the alternative cannot be helplessness,” said the Prime Minister. “The European Union as a whole, as a powerful organization, must be mentally prepared to fight for the security of our borders and our territory.”
(lismah)