Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Europe is in a “pre-war era” but still has a “long way to go” before it's ready to face the threat ahead.
“I don't want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past,” Tusk said in an interview with several European media outlets. "It is real, in fact it already started more than two years ago."
Tusk said what’s most worrying right now is that “literally any scenario is possible," adding that Europe has not faced a situation like this since 1945.
“I know it sounds devastating, especially to people of the younger generation, but we have to mentally get used to the arrival of a new era,” he said. “The pre-war era. I don’t exaggerate. This is becoming more and more apparent every day."
Amid Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022, Western allies and top military officials have become increasingly worried about a potential spillover of violence — despite Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly denying any intentions to attack NATO.
Last week, a Russian missile entered Polish airspace, prompting Warsaw to activate F-16 fighter jets, in what Tusk called a “troubling incident.”
But while tumult is on the horizon, Tusk warned that Europe is not ready to face the threat.
“We must be ready. Europe still has a long way to go,” he said. The first step is for countries to meet NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of their GDP on defense, he added.
"Today we have to spend as much as we can to buy equipment and ammunition for Ukraine, because we are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War," he said. "The next two years will decide everything. If we cannot support Ukraine with enough equipment and ammunition, if Ukraine loses, no one in Europe will be able to feel safe."
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
How does the idea of supporting another country in war, such as Ukraine, align with your personal values about peace and security?
@9L7KPBX2mos2MO
I think that the U.S. can support any country that they please as long as it does not affect what we have going on and will not put the citizens of the United States in danger.
@9L7KMY32mos2MO
I think we need to fund our military and secure our borders before we fully fund another country. A sting Foreign policy would have prevented what we see now in Ukraine
@9L7KG382mos2MO
Supporting another country in a war causes others to notice and focus on where the U.S. stands with other countries. I don't want to stand for something if i don't support it and doesn't align with my beliefs. I support the U.S. working with Ukraine and providing them resources to fight against the attacking country.
@9L7JW662mos2MO
The U.S. should help Ukraine in other ways
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Reflecting on the statement that 'no one in Europe will be able to feel safe' if Ukraine loses, how does this impact your thoughts on the importance of national and international defense strategies?
@9L7LKH82mos2MO
If one country can be taken over, why can't they all? It has started a world war before there's nothing stopping it from happening again.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
If war were to become a reality in Europe, in what ways do you imagine it would change your day-to-day life?
@9L7J7C82mos2MO
Gases prices would go up so I'd be angry about the situation.
@9L7HT9J2mos2MO
The U.S. should support the U.N. and NATO and defend but should not do anything to drastic. The US should stand up to dictators and support her allies.
Defeating and breaking off a giant russia into dozens of independent renovated democratic republics under the guide and supervision of western civilized union are two necessary steps to promise future european peace.
@ResolvedBearLibertarian2mos2MO
Spending on Defense is not the main solution rather negotiating and resolving issues that bring war
2% was for peace time, when the US was also a reliable ally. Neither of these are true. And we’ve also hollowed out our militaries all across Europe. It needs to be closer to 10% to have any chance of being prepared. They just aren’t willing yet it seems to tell people that
@S3curityJakeForward2mos2MO
We Taiwanese learned a big lesson from Ukraine : never trust The West.
Today US betrays Ukraine, tomorrow it will betray Taiwan. We Taiwanese thank Ukraine for showing the “loyalty” of Americans
I hope Polish can understand it as well
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
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