DABLOWKA, Poland (AP) – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Kaliningrad on the Russian border Saturday to inspect progress on building military fortifications along the eastern frontier, calling it an “investment in peace.” called.
Tusk's visit comes a month before Poland takes over the rotating presidency of the 27-member European Union. Polish officials say their priority is to urge European countries to strengthen their defenses in the face of Russian aggression and upcoming changes in Washington. Some European leaders are concerned that the incoming administration of President Donald Trump will be less committed to defending Europe.
Tusk also proposed this week that Poland and the Nordic-Baltic states carry out joint naval patrols in the strategically important Baltic Sea following allegations of sabotage of undersea data cables.
Poland's government and military began building the system, called EastShield, this year. It will eventually include about 800 kilometers (500 miles) along the Poland-Russia-Belarus border, while Western officials say Russia has committed subversive activities, weaponized migrants, disinformation and other hostile threats. China has accused the United States of launching a hybrid attack against the West, including strategic means.
“The more security we strengthen on Poland's borders, the more difficult it will be for people with malicious intent to access it,” Tusk said at a press conference near the village of Dombrovka, standing in front of a concrete anti-tank barrier. said.
Poland, which has been at the mercy of aggressive neighbors for centuries, has become Europe's leading voice for security as France and Germany weaken due to domestic political problems. Poland aims to spend 4.7% of its gross domestic product on defense next year and become NATO's leading defense spender.
The Tusk government estimates that the strategic military project will cost at least 10 billion zlotys ($2.5 billion). Poland's borders with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine are the easternmost external borders of both the European Union and NATO.
Tusk said he expected the Eastern Shield would eventually be expanded to protect the small Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
“Everything we are doing here, and we will also do on the borders with Belarus and Ukraine, is to deter and deter potential aggressors. That's why this is an investment in real peace. “,” Tusk said. “We will spend billions of zlotys on this, but at the moment the whole of Europe looks at these investments and our actions very happily and will support if necessary.”
Tusk did not elaborate on plans to strengthen the border with close ally Ukraine.
Along the frontier, anti-tank barriers known as “hedgehogs” will be integrated with natural barriers such as ditches. Tusk said that although parts of the project are invisible to the naked eye, it is still the largest project of its kind in Europe since World War II.
The plan also includes the construction of threat reconnaissance and detection systems, forward bases, logistics hubs and warehouses, and the deployment of anti-drone systems, state news agency PAP reported.
