Tusk: NATO must prioritize eastern flank defense over Ukraine aid

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is set to advocate for a strategic shift within NATO, prioritizing the protection of the European Union's eastern border above new financial support for Ukraine. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Tusk announced his intention to urge the alliance to treat the defense of the eastern flank as a "special strategic priority."

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I will urge the Atlantic Alliance to recognize that the protection of the eastern border of the European Union must be treated as a special strategic priority, even ahead of new financial commitments to Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, Tusk advised the Polish delegation to proceed with "extreme caution regarding any declaration of additional financial support" for Kyiv. He explained his stance not by questioning Ukraine's needs, but by emphasizing Poland's "very important responsibilities concerning the entire eastern border of the European Union." Tusk argued that this border, which also serves as Europe's frontier against eastern threats, requires special attention.

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Not because I believe Ukraine does not need it, but because I believe Poland has very important responsibilities concerning the entire eastern border of the European Union, and everyone must take that into account.

The prime minister also addressed recent strains in Poland-Ukraine relations, stating that assistance to Kyiv cannot be a one-way street. "It can no longer be that only Warsaw shows goodwill all the time. Good relations are in mutual interest, but they require goodwill from Kyiv," he asserted. This comes amid disputes, such as Poland's accusation that Ukraine failed to uphold an agreement to share drone technology in exchange for MiG fighter jets, leading Warsaw to freeze the delivery of those aircraft.

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It can no longer be that only Warsaw shows goodwill all the time. Good relations are in mutual interest, but they require goodwill from Kyiv.

Further complicating matters is a disagreement rooted in historical memory, which Tusk directly attributed to Kyiv. He called for an "honest conversation" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resolve past grievances. Tusk concluded by warning that the coming months could be "truly critical" for European security due to the evolving nature of the war in Ukraine and potential Russian provocations aimed at testing NATO unity on the eastern flank.

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Poland is preparing very intensively for various scenarios.