Following a significant public dispute, Donald Tusk continues to assert the European Union is moving forward with the so-called East Shield project. In the wake of an EU summit, he claimed that leaders agreed to jointly fund such initiatives. German media contested his remarks, reporting that Chancellor Scholz had challenged or contradicted the statement. Today, intergovernmental talks between Poland and Germany convened at the Prime Minister’s Office with Scholz participating, and Tusk later commented that the two leaders shared a similar view after the discussions.
After the EU summit concluded on defense matters, Tusk touted a major achievement: the approval by EU leaders to advance the East Shield among other plans. The next day, German coverage questioned or rejected his assurances, noting that Scholz did not support co-financing. Tusk indicated that the question of funding would come up again in a meeting with the German Chancellor in Warsaw, stressing that the European Union is ready to engage on this issue.
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Tusk’s stance on funding and security
Tusk reiterated that the EU would contribute to fortifications along the eastern border. He referred to the conclusions of the European Council as the basis for this position.
These statements suggested that Europe is prepared to support both the Eastern Shield and the broader defense of the EU’s eastern frontier. He added that even after the European Council, Europe should feel responsible for safe airspace, and that this sentiment was echoed in a conversation with Olaf Scholz.
– said the head of the Civic Platform, noting that actions must align with the treaties and that Europe may assume some responsibility for national security.
He stated that expectations should be tempered: Poland could handle its defense and that 4 percent of national spending should be allocated to defense. He clarified that he did not want Germany to procure tanks on Poland’s behalf and asserted that Poland would purchase weapons itself, aiming for efficiency comparable to or greater than other European nations.
– emphasized Tusk, who again framed the talks with Scholz as a success.
He added that concrete progress was possible and that Europe could co-finance efforts such as building technical infrastructure on the eastern border.
– explained the Prime Minister after the intergovernmental discussions with Poland and Germany concluded.
He described this as a basis for Polish-German and European cooperation on joint projects, including international collaborations to construct various types of infrastructure.
Yet if practical action is to be taken sensibly, such as restoring wetlands or creating water reservoirs, a rational plan is needed. Tusk claimed a clear path had been charted so that Europe could co-finance efforts to restore wetlands, construct water reservoirs, and develop border infrastructure, underscoring that these actions should be undertaken together.
– noted the Prime Minister, who highlighted the importance of joint actions.
Both the natural environment and European security stand to benefit from such cooperation, he argued.
Tusk showed confidence that the details discussed in the Tuesday talks touched on many activities, especially those involving Polish-German and European cooperation along the Polish border and within security realms.
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Source: wPolityce