DABROWKA, Poland — On Saturday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the border between Poland and the Russian region of Kaliningrad to assess the development of military fortifications being constructed along the eastern border. He characterized this initiative as “an investment in peace.”
Tusk’s trip occurs just a month prior to Poland’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the European Union. Polish officials assert that their primary focus is to encourage increased defensive measures among European nations in light of ongoing Russian hostilities and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy with the incoming administration of Donald Trump, which has raised concerns regarding its commitment to European security.
This year, Poland’s government and military have embarked on a project known as East Shield, which aims to secure around 800 kilometers (approximately 500 miles) of the borders with both Russia and Belarus. Many Western officials have accused Russia of conducting hybrid warfare against the West, involving tactics such as sabotage, the manipulation of migration, misinformation campaigns, and other aggressive moves.
“The more secure the Polish border becomes, the harder it is for anyone with malicious intent to infiltrate,” Tusk stated at a press conference near Dabrowka, standing beside concrete anti-tank barriers.
Historically, Poland has faced threats from hostile neighbors and now serves as a prominent advocate for security within Europe at a time when nations like France and Germany are grappling with their own domestic challenges. The country plans to allocate 4.7% of its gross domestic product toward defense in the upcoming year, positioning it as one of the front-runners in NATO when it comes to military expenditure.
The government’s estimates suggest that the East Shield project will require at least 10 billion zlotys (approximately $2.5 billion) in funding. Poland’s borders with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine represent the easternmost fringes of both the European Union and NATO.
Tusk anticipates that this fortification initiative may eventually expand to provide security for the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
“All measures being implemented here, including those along the borders with Belarus and Ukraine, are designed to deter any potential aggressor. Therefore, it is genuinely a peace investment,” Tusk remarked. He emphasized that while these are substantial financial commitments, the entire European community is closely monitoring these actions and is likely to support them if needed.
He expressed a commitment to ensuring that citizens feel a heightened sense of security along the entirety of the eastern border. Tusk also mentioned the inclusion of enhancements along the border with Ukraine, although he did not provide further details.
The defense strategy involves integrating various anti-tank barriers, called “hedgehogs,” with natural barricades like ditches. Tusk pointed out that certain aspects of the initiative may not be visible, yet it represents the most significant defense construction effort in Europe since the conclusion of World War II.
In addition to physical barriers, the plans encompass the establishment of threat detection and reconnaissance systems, forward operating bases, logistics hubs, and the installation of anti-drone capabilities, as reported by the state’s news agency.