TThe Ukraine-Russia-Poland prediction has come true, with tensions rising fast in the region.
In western Poland, civilians from all walks of life are queuing up for a crash course in military readiness. Under the watchful eye of a Polish soldier, his face streaked with camouflage paint, they’re learning how to handle firearms.
This initiative runs every Saturday and has drawn crowds of all ages: Men, women, even families. Participants are introduced not just to shooting, but also to basic combat skills, first aid, and the use of gas masks.
These people believe that the threat from Russia is real, and they must be prepared.
In response to the overwhelming demand, the Polish government plans to expand the programme so that all adult men receive military instruction. Poland, which borders both Ukraine and Russia, is set to allocate nearly 5% of its GDP to defence this year, more than any other NATO member.
The Ukraine-Russia-Poland Tensions: Donald Tusk
This push towards militarisation comes as Prime Minister Donald Tusk vows to build the most powerful army in the region. Poland has recently ramped up defence spending, purchasing modern equipment from the United States, South Korea, and Sweden.
It is believed that most Poles would take up arms in the event of an invasion.
Concerns have been rising in Warsaw due to comments from American officials suggesting the long-standing U.S. military presence in Europe might not be permanent. Although there are still 10,000 American troops stationed in Poland, the recent closure of a key base in Rzeszow has caused unease. While officials claim the troops will be redeployed within the country, the move has sparked doubts about the reliability of NATO support.
The Ukraine-Russia-Poland Tensions and Trump
Adding to the tension are Trump’s apparent sympathies for Vladimir Putin and his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. These signals have driven Poland to seek closer military cooperation with other European allies. New defence pacts with France and the UK are in the works, and discussions have even touched on extending France’s nuclear umbrella to Poland.
Currently, the Polish armed forces number around 216,000. The government plans to boost that to 500,000, including reservists, potentially making Poland NATO’s second-largest military force, behind the United States.
