On Friday, in a declaration in Parliament, Prime Minister Donald Tusk shared his plan as part of a wider effort to create an army of 500,000 people to dissuade the Russian assault.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland planned to provide military training to “each adult man” in the face of current security threats.
In a statement to the SEJM – The Parliament of Poland – Friday, Tusk shared its plan as part of a wider effort to create an army of 500,000 people to dissuade Russian aggression.
“Work is underway to prepare for a large-scale military training for each adult man in Poland … who will help make those who do not enter the army in full-fledged soldiers during a conflict,” he said.
“We will try to have a ready model by the end of the year so that every adult man in Poland is formed for the war,” said Tusk.
According to last figures for last year, the Polish army had 200,000 soldiers, in order to increase to 300,000 members.
Now, with a drop in support from the United States, the key military ally of Poland, the country, like many others in Europe, has focused more on the readjustment of its security and defense priorities.
“Today, the situation in Poland, objectively and the situation of Ukraine especially, is more difficult than a few months ago and we have to face this fact,” said Tusk.
He added that the “hard security guarantees” of the United States for Ukraine seem “less likely today than before”.
“This is a race for security”.
Many European countries are trying to reaffirm their common position on Ukraine and modify their security priorities.
The Prime Minister said that he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron about the possibility of obtaining protection under the French nuclear umbrella.
Citing the example of Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia after abandoning its nuclear weapons, Tusk stressed that Poland could consider nuclear “options”.
“We must be aware that Poland must achieve advanced capacities also linked to nuclear weapons and modern unconventional weapons (…) It is a race for security, not for war,” said Tusk in his speech.
Poland, Lithuania and Finland Sissive Up Formation
Poland has been a close ally of Ukraine, with which it has shared a border, since the start of the Russian invasion. Despite Tusk's statement that he would not send troops in Ukraine, Poland has increased its own security budget in recent years.
Poland is now the largest NATO contributor. In 2024, he allocated 4.2% of his GDP to La Défense. This year, this figure should reach 4.7%.
Poland also has the largest army in Europe and the third largest NATO army after the United States and Turkey.
ADVERTISEMENTBy proposing a military service plan, Poland would join other countries such as Switzerland, Finland and Lithuania, which have their own plans to increase military training.
In Lithuania, which borders Russia and its close ally of Bélarus, nearly 3,900 male adults between 18 and 23 years old are conscribed for nine months each year for the moment. However, the government also plans to consume women.
Poland, Finland and Lithuania are also planning to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits anti-personal mines.
“Each adult male”
Although the details of the Tusk plan have not yet been revealed, he said that “each adult man” will undergo military training.
ADVERTISEMENTAs for Polish women, they will be allowed to join, but on a voluntary basis.
“It is well known-the war is even wider in men's domain,” he added.
According to the report “Women in the military, peace and peace make” published by the European Parliament of Parliament (EPRS), only 11 of the EU 27 states, notably Poland, Finland and Lithuania, allow women to serve in front line positions.
While security talks between European leaders should continue in the future, Tusk hopes that his proposal will effectively cement security, but also European security.
ADVERTISEMENT“The task of Poland is to keep its eastern border, which is also the border of NATO and the European Union,” he said.
