Polish PM questions US loyalty in case of Russian attack, warns EU must be 'real alliance' - FT

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has voiced significant concerns regarding the reliability of the United States as a NATO ally, particularly in the context of a potential Russian attack. Speaking to the Financial Times, Tusk articulated what he described as Europe's "biggest, most important question": whether the U.S. remains a loyal partner. This sentiment reflects a growing unease within Eastern European nations about the unpredictable nature of U.S. foreign policy, especially under administrations that may challenge established alliances.

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For the whole eastern flank, my neighbors... the question is if NATO is still an organization ready, politically and also logistically, to react, for example against Russia if they try to attack.

Tusk's remarks underscore a perceived urgency, suggesting that the threat from Russia is a short-term, rather than long-term, concern, potentially measured in months. He stressed the critical importance for all NATO members to treat their obligations with the utmost seriousness, highlighting Poland's own vulnerability on the "eastern flank." This perspective from Warsaw is deeply rooted in historical experiences and the ongoing geopolitical realities of the region, where the specter of Russian aggression remains a primary national security concern.

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I'm talking about short-term perspectives, rather months than years... For us, it's really important to know that everyone will treat the NATO obligations as seriously as Poland.

Beyond NATO, Tusk called for the European Union to evolve into a "real alliance" with robust defense capabilities. He suggested that the bloc should seriously consider activating its mutual defense clause, Article 42.7 of the EU treaty, especially in the post-Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban era, who has often been seen as an ally of Russia. Tusk's "obsession" and "mission" is to "reintegrate Europe" through common defense and a unified effort to protect the continent's eastern borders. This vision prioritizes European self-reliance and collective security, independent of, or at least in parallel with, traditional transatlantic security structures.

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What you need if you want to have, not only on paper, a real alliance, is true tools and real power when it comes to defense instruments and mobility of militaries from country to country etc. It's a very practical problem for today.