We have to build Europe anew. Intelligent, self-sufficient and ready to replace at least part of American support for Ukraine, if necessary, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the summit of the heads of government of the Nordic and Baltic countries. – Donald should trust another Donald – he added, referring to the American president-elect.
Tusk is taking part in the summit of the heads of government of the Nordic and Baltic countries. At a joint conference of leaders, the head of the Polish government assured that security, resilience and Ukraine will remain Poland's priorities during the presidency of the EU Council, which will start on January 1, 2025. – I know that I will be able to count on the support of all colleagues present in this room to implement our program – he emphasized.
Tusk: Donald should trust another Donald
The head of the Polish government was asked whether he trusted the US president-elect Donald Trump. – Obviously, Donald should trust another Donald. I don't think we have any other choice in this matter, he replied.
Journalists also asked Tusk whether Poland and European Union has the ability to support Ukraine on a sufficient scale if United States they will withdraw their support.
– It is clear not only among us, but also our colleagues and everyone who has had any contact with the president-elect is absolutely convinced that today we need to build Europe anew – intelligent, self-sufficient and ready to also replace, if necessary, at least some American support to Ukraine, Tusk continued.
– The messages coming from the president-elect are quite clear. We don't need to have any illusions about our coming weeks or months, he continued.
– This means that our group, but Europe as a whole, NATOwe all need to be more determined, more ready to replace some measures, tools and money if necessary, if the American decision seems (will be – ed.) as it seems today – emphasized the head of the Polish government. He added that “we should treat this as an opportunity, not as a threat.”
Tusk: I proposed creating a mission in the Baltic Sea
According to the Polish Prime Minister, the Baltic Sea region has become an arena of geopolitical changes. “The war completely changed the reality of our region, the reality of the whole of Europe, the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. These are our closest friends, partners and allies, especially in the context of defense and security,” he said.
– In terms of our cooperation in the context of defense and weapons – Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway – we all have a long, good tradition of such cooperation. We share an assessment of the security situation, including concerns about critical infrastructure around the Baltic Sea. We need new tools and ambitious tools to counteract threats, said the Prime Minister.
– Today I proposed creating a mission in the Baltic Sea. I'm very pleased that my colleagues found it interesting and we will continue to work out the details and – I am confident – invest more in Baltic Sea – Tusk informed.
According to Tusk, security is to be ensured, among other things, by investments in offshore wind energy. – I don't think I need to explain here on Swedish soil how important energy security is, he said. According to the Prime Minister, no one understands this “complicated and dangerous situation” in the Baltic and Nordic region better than ourselves. – Nobody has better solutions to these challenges – he said.
Main photo source: Leszek Szymański/PAP