The Prime Minister of Poland revealed on Friday that his administration is gearing up to mandate extensive military training for every adult male in order to substantially increase the size of the army in preparation for a potential conflict with Russia. Donald Tusk also declared that Poland will significantly enhance its weaponry, emphasizing the necessity to pursue cutting-edge capabilities, including nuclear and modern unconventional arms. Tusk unveiled these initiatives during an address to the Polish Parliament on the same day that President Donald Trump, following a period of diminishing U.S. support for Ukraine and traditional European allies, threatened to impose expanded sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a peace deal is reached with Ukraine.
Present at the announcement was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “We aim to have a comprehensive plan in place by the end of this year to ensure that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of a conflict, thus creating a reserve force that is sufficient and prepared for potential threats,” stated Tusk.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago came as a shock to many leaders in Poland. Having been under Communist rule and Soviet influence behind the Iron Curtain, Poland has long been at odds with Russia. Tusk informed lawmakers of the government’s ambition to raise the size of the Polish army to 500,000 troops, a significant increase from the current level of about 200,000.
Discussing the need for a half-million strong army in Poland, including reservists, Tusk expressed, “We’re looking at the necessity of having a force of 500,000 troops in Poland.” Notably, Polish women might also be mandated to undergo military training, although Tusk acknowledged that war is predominantly associated with men. Nevertheless, there are over 7,000 women serving actively in the Polish army presently, as per official records. Polish women have a storied legacy of engaging in combat for their nation, including as guerrilla fighters during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against the Germans.
Tusk pointed out that the Ukrainian army currently comprises 800,000 soldiers and is confronting a Russian force of approximately 1.3 million. Poland, a member of NATO established in the aftermath of World War II to counter the Soviet threat, has stood as a steadfast ally of the U.S. and a strong supporter of Ukraine since the Russian incursion in February 2022.
The Polish government’s anxiety over the country’s security has heightened following Trump’s baseless assertion that Ukraine initiated the conflict with Russia, leading to the cessation of U.S. military aid and intelligence support for Ukraine. Trump’s wavering commitment to traditional U.S. obligations within the alliance framework has added to these concerns. Despite Trump’s threats of sanctions against Moscow, he lamented the challenges he faced in dealing with Ukraine.
As the conflict unfolded, over seven million Ukrainians sought refuge in Poland at the onset of
