Poland’s independence at risk if Ukraine falls, prime minister warns

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of Ukraine’s fall, emphasizing that Poland’s independence could be directly threatened if the European Union fails to support Kyiv.

Speaking briefly to Polish journalists during discussions at the European summit, Tusk described the ongoing negotiations as “a very difficult process,” with a group of particularly concerned countries—including Belgium—seeking clear guarantees and safeguards against potential Russian retaliatory or financial actions, The Guardian reports.

“There is a breakthrough in the sense of reaching a broad agreement about the need to move on this, and the leaders are now looking for ways to make all countries comfortable with what’s being proposed,” he said.

However, Tusk did not shy away from outlining the high stakes. “Polish independence would be under threat if it turns out that, as a consequence of poor decisions or a lack of action from Europe, Ukraine is forced to surrender,” he warned.

He elaborated on the strategic rationale behind supporting Ukraine, saying: “I want this to finally sink in for everyone—not just for our colleagues here in Europe, but for everyone in Poland as well—that when we talk about the necessity of supporting Ukraine using these Russian funds, it is because we know full well that Ukrainian independence pushes the risk of aggression or war away from Polish borders. Conversely, the fall of Ukraine as a result of this war would mean a direct threat to Poland.”

By Vafa Guliyeva