Tusk told Gazeta Wyborcza that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Poland has become a “key state” and must leverage that position strategically over the long term. He said Poland’s geopolitical outlook will be strong if Ukraine does not lose and if historic Polish-Ukrainian distrust can be overcome.
Building “strong, friendly, partner relations” with a sovereign Ukraine—while guarding Polish interests—represents a major opportunity, he said. Tusk added he is a cautious optimist, saying there is no objective reason Ukraine should be defeated.
Commenting on the night of Sept. 9–10, when Russian drones violated Polish airspace, Tusk called the episode a turning point. Authorizing drone shoot-downs “was not easy”—no one wants to overreact and “unwittingly start a third world war”—but tolerating provocations “leads nowhere good,” he said.
Tusk reiterated NATO’s centrality for Poland, while noting “turbulence” and uncertainty over the next steps of the Donald Trump administration. Poland’s allies include the United States—currently with 10,000 troops in Poland—and neighboring NATO members, he said.
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Source: Gazeta Wyborcza, PAP