Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stark warning that the threat from the East is “real and tangible”, while assuring students at the country’s War Studies Academy that Poland commands respect from capitals ranging from Moscow to Washington, according to RMF24.
Speaking at the Akademia Sztuki Wojennej (War Studies Academy) in Warsaw’s Rembertów district, Tusk told students they are the reason Poland has become “the most respected and most valued ally” among European and global partners. He emphasised that the nation’s strength lies in the determination and pride of those serving in its armed forces.
“Today, both enemy and ally know well that Poland will not allow any successful acts of aggression against us,” Tusk said. He added that neither adversaries nor partners will decide which path Poland follows, who governs the country, or how it builds its military.
Real suwerenność requires strong military
The prime minister stressed that true sovereignty cannot exist without a “sovereign, well-trained, proud and patriotic army”. He told the military students that Poland’s security commands respect “in every capital, from Moscow and Kyiv to Washington and Brussels”.
Tusk underlined that Poland’s security and future depend on the strength of its armed forces, the efficiency of the state and economy, and the unity of the nation and its military and civilian leadership, both in peacetime and moments of trial.
Acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the prime minister said Polish armed forces and civil services must be “prepared for every scenario”. He described the War Studies Academy as a crucial institution where military and civilian methods, thinking and innovations intersect, playing a key role in Poland’s security.
Call for unified crisis response
Tusk referenced a project developed by the Academy titled “Governing the state in conditions of escalating armed conflict and war”. He appealed to all politicians across Poland to work towards solutions that would allow all state institutions to “act as one cohesive, efficient and responsible mechanism” in times of threat.
“This requires knowledge, experience, exercises, but also courage in questioning solutions that no longer match the scale and dynamics of contemporary threats and changes, particularly on the modern battlefield,” Tusk said. “Poland expects from you courage in thinking, courage in presenting problems as they truly are.”
The prime minister also recalled a recent conversation with General Mirosław Różański, an Academy graduate and former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces who died in late August. Tusk said the general had told him that it depends on military academy students and the entire army whether Poland remains “a symbol of security, order and peace in all of Europe and the entire world”.
The gathering observed a moment of silence for General Różański and all deceased alumni of the institution.
The War Studies Academy is a military university supervised by the Minister of National Defence. Established by law on 1 October 2016, the Warsaw-based institution traces its traditions back to the Academy of the Noble Cadet Corps founded in 1765, known as the Knights’ School.
What this means for Poles abroad
For Poles living in the UK and USA, Tusk’s remarks reflect Poland’s increasingly central role in European security as the war in Ukraine continues. The government’s focus on military readiness and institutional preparedness for crisis scenarios may affect dual nationals and those maintaining ties to Poland, particularly around questions of civil defence obligations and emergency planning. While Poland does not currently have conscription, male Polish citizens aged 18–60 remain on reserve lists and could theoretically be called up in a national emergency. Those concerned about their status should monitor announcements from the Polish Ministry of National Defence and consult Polish consulates for guidance on obligations under Polish law.
