Poland’s warnings about Russia proved accurate, and the time has come to draw clear conclusions about what that means for security in Europe. A senior NATO adviser stressed that Ukraine must receive maximum support from the alliance as it continues its fight for freedom and independence.
Warsaw hosted a conference marking the 25th anniversary of Poland joining NATO. The event, titled “Ensuring security, responding to challenges”, brought together prominent figures including NATO Assistant Secretary General for Security Policy Boris Ruge, the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera, and the deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski. The gathering contributed to a broader discussion about the alliance’s path forward in a volatile regional and global landscape.
The speaker, Ruge, underscored a stubborn reality: President Vladimir Putin intends to press on with the war and shows little willingness to negotiate with Ukraine. This stance, he noted, makes united and resolute Western support crucial for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty.
Poland is right
Ruge argued that recognizing Poland’s warnings should translate into stronger, more persistent aid to Ukraine. The aim is to keep Kyiv capable of resisting aggression while preserving its independence and democratic freedoms. On Ukraine’s possible NATO membership, he stressed that any decision must reflect a consensus among alliance members. Yet he assured that NATO will continue to take steps that demonstrate to the world and to Russia that the alliance and Ukraine are moving closer together in practical, verifiable ways.
The central message was that it is essential to back Ukraine now so that its defenses remain robust and credible against a persistent threat.
Ruge also admitted that Poland’s concerns were not unfounded and that those warnings should prompt a careful, strategic reassessment of Western security posture. He warned that NATO must remain alert to other challenges—such as uncontrolled migration and the threat of terrorism—and avoid focusing exclusively on the East. A balanced approach is needed to address multiple crises simultaneously, he said, expressing confidence in the alliance’s capacity to do so.
Aid package
Siewiera described a ongoing strategic debate within the alliance about the structure of defense and deterrence for NATO and its partners. A key topic is increasing defense spending among allied nations, with a particular emphasis on how Europe can adapt to the current security environment.
He urged European nations to grow into the responsibility of the present circumstances and to take a realistic look at what defense means today. The discussion around Ukraine’s military aid, he noted, hinges on what Washington is prepared to approve, but he also suggested that the alliance should imagine scenarios that might differ from past patterns to facilitate easier decisions in the future.
Bartoszewski reinforced the urgency of deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank. He warned that if Putin is not stopped now, there could be a future where Russian forces appear closer to NATO borders. He recalled that 25 years have passed since Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary joined the alliance, and warned against any move that would push these countries away from NATO’s umbrella toward Russian influence. Such a shift, he cautioned, would undermine European security and stability.
The conference reflected a shared conviction that Western unity matters deeply for Europe’s safety and future political alignment. The discussions also touched on broader geopolitical implications, including potential shifts in defense commitments, alliance readiness, and the strategic calculation behind any new aid packages for Ukraine. Analysts and policymakers alike emphasized that decisive, well-coordinated actions are required to preserve stability across the continent.
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Source: wPolityce