Neighboring Poland has voiced a significant opinion on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, highlighted the irony of 500 million Europeans seeking defense from 300 million Americans against 140 million Russians. He referred to the situation as a 'dilemma' Washington faces and insisted on the need to 'overcome it.'
After the notable meeting between US President Trump and Ukraine's President Zelensky at the White House, Prime Minister Tusk continued to express support for Ukraine.
He had previously tweeted, 'Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.'
The 45-minute meeting between President Trump, his Deputy JD Vance, and Ukraine's President Zelensky went beyond diplomatic boundaries. Tensions escalated, leading to the Ukrainian President being asked to leave the White House.
Furthermore, President Trump canceled a dinner arranged in honor of the Ukrainian head of state.
Poland didn't hold back in critiquing the developments publicly.
Since Russia's 2022 assault on Ukraine, Poland has been a major ally, extending extensive military aid, including tanks, heavy machinery, and ammunition.
Source: aajtak
According to Ukraine's former ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zwarych, Warsaw has provided 45 military aid packages to Kyiv since 2022, totaling over $4 billion.
Among NATO member countries, Poland spends the highest portion of its GDP (4.7%) on defense.
Following the unsuccessful talks between President Trump and President Zelensky at the White House, Poland's Prime Minister commented on bolstering national and European defense capabilities as an 'additional insurance policy.' Donald Tusk stressed the importance of Europe taking 'greater responsibility for continental security.'
Tusk remarked, 'It sounds paradoxical but, consider this: 500 million Europeans asking 300 million Americans to protect them from 140 million Russians. If you know how to count, trust yourself.'
The Polish Prime Minister insisted that there is a 'current deficit of imagination and courage in Europe.'
He also highlighted that the European forces with Ukraine comprise 2.6 million soldiers, while America has 1.3 million, China 2 million, and Russia 1.1 million soldiers.
Tusk stated confidently, 'Europe holds an advantage over all.'
This extends to fighter jets as well, with Europe and Ukraine holding 2,091, America 1,456, China 1,409, and Russia 1,224.
The Polish PM asserted, 'With Ukraine, Europe possesses twice the number of fighter jets than Russia.'
He also noted that Europe, alongside Ukraine, holds 14,400 artillery, compared to 5,000 in the US, 9,500 in China, and 5,157 in Russia.
'It's incomparable,' he emphasized, 'as I’ve said, the deficiency lies in failing to understand that Europe has the potential to become a great power.'
Following the breakdown in talks between Zelensky and Trump in Washington, NATO countries are convening in London to contemplate the Ukraine conflict. There, Donald Tusk acknowledged, 'Europe has woken up. The EU, Ukraine, the UK, Norway, and Turkey - they all speak in one voice about aiding Ukraine, the necessity for transatlantic cooperation, and fortifying the eastern border.'
