The course of the Warsaw Security Forum conference was reported by, among others, the public radio station ARD and the “Berliner Zeitung” daily. ARD's Warsaw correspondent Martin Adam said in a report from Warsaw that countries on NATO's eastern flank, including Polandassess the threat from Russia more realistically than countries in Western Europe. – Ukraine must win, Putin must lose – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis is quoted as saying.
“Epochal breakthrough” in Poland
The German portal “Der Westen” devoted a lot of space to Polish security policy on Saturday (5/10/2024). Chancellor Olaf Scholz, acting attack Although Russia announced an “epochal turn” in defense policy, the implementation of this program is progressing too slowly, and the real breakthrough is taking place in Poland.
“Out of fear of Putin A radical version of an epochal breakthrough is being implemented in Poland. Preparations are running at high speed,” writes Marcel Goermann.
The author draws attention to the sense of threat from Putin in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. On this occasion, he recalls the words of Prime Minister Donald Tusk that we live in “pre-war” times. “Polish policy reacts (to the threat from Russia and… Belarus) sharply and decisively, and – unlike usual – beyond political divisions. The goal is clear – to become so defensible and so strong that Russia does not dare to repeat the situation with Ukraine“- writes Goermann, adding that large investments in defense are intended to deter Putin.
Poland is a strong guarantor of security
“Der Westen” reported that expenses for army in Poland, they are to increase to nearly 5 percent by 2025. GDP. The size of the Polish army exceeded 200,000. soldiers, which means that Poland has the third largest army in NATO. Only the USA and Türkiye have more soldiers. The editors emphasize that they intend to build fortifications for EUR 2.3 billion border eastern – “Shield East”.
Referring to a report by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Goermann writes that Poland, a potential frontline state against Putin, is becoming a “strong security guarantor” on NATO's eastern flank.
If the authorities in Warsaw manage to build the most modern land army in Europe, it will happen in the medium term Poland may therefore assume a new political role – we read in the report. History shows that an increase in military power is accompanied by an increase in political influence, Goermann writes in his conclusion. “Der Westen” is a portal belonging to the Funke media group based in Essen.