Nearly half of Poles don't expect war threat in next five years - poll

Almost half of Poles believe their country will not face a real war in the next five years, though more than a quarter see such a threat as possible, a new survey showed.

File photo. A handout picture made available by the press service of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shows the new recruits attending a military training at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region, southeastern Ukraine, 13 August 2025, amid the Russian invasion.

Photo: EPA/Press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade

Nearly 49% of respondents said Poland was unlikely to face a real war within the next five years, while 26% saw the threat as real, according to a poll published Thursday by daily Super Express. Another 25% had no opinion.

The survey was conducted by the Pollster Research Institute from Aug. 9 to 11 among 1,006 Polish adults.

Meanwhile, former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin could have a “window” to attack Europe within the next three to five years.

“If war breaks out, it will probably be before 2035,” Landsbergis warned, adding that by then Europe could effectively deter Russia thanks to German and Polish investments, as well as military upgrades by northern European and Baltic states.

He voiced doubt that western and southern European countries would spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, but expressed hope in Germany’s plans.

“If they really invest half a trillion euros, it will create a real military force. That could be a deterrent. Germany is the core of Europe’s defense structure, especially if the Americans withdraw,” he said.

(jh)

Source: Polskie Radio 24