Polish PM questions US loyalty to NATO defence commitments

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has questioned whether the United States would remain “loyal” to its NATO commitments in the event of a Russian attack, warning that Europe faces growing security uncertainty.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Tusk said the “biggest, most important question is if the United States is ready to be as loyal as it is described in our [NATO] treaties,” adding that Russia could potentially attack a member of the alliance within “months.”

His remarks reflect rising concern in Europe following signals from US President Donald Trump about reducing Washington’s role in European defence and ambiguity over honouring NATO’s Article 5 mutual defence clause.

“For the whole eastern flank, my neighbours… the question is if NATO is still an organisation ready, politically and also logistically, to react,” Tusk said.

He pointed to an incident last year in which about 20 Russian drones violated Polish airspace, saying some NATO allies were reluctant to treat it as a serious provocation. “It wasn’t easy for me to convince our partners… it was a well-planned and prepared provocation,” he said, adding that “for some of our colleagues, it was much easier to pretend that nothing happened.”

While stressing he does not question Article 5 itself, Tusk said he wants assurances that “guarantees on paper will change into something very practical,” noting that “sometimes… I have some problems” trusting how commitments would work in reality.

Tusk’s comments come as the European Union discusses strengthening its own mutual defence clause, Article 42.7, amid efforts to play a larger role in security following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for bringing the clause “to life,” though some member states remain cautious about undermining NATO.

Tusk emphasised that Europe must develop “true tools and real power” for defence cooperation, including military mobility and joint capabilities. “My mission is to reintegrate Europe… a common effort to protect our eastern borders,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova