Posted on 03/07/2025 4:34:27 PM PST by Cronos
Poland, a staunch Ukraine ally, has been arming itself heavily as it eyes warily neighbouring Russia and amid calls from US President Donald Trump for European countries to take more responsibility for their own defence.
Warsaw is already far ahead of its allies in terms of military expenditure, aiming to spend 4.7 percent of its GDP on defence this year -- and now it mulls new measures.
"We are facing a very serious race, and it is a race for security," Tusk told the parliament.
"We must be aware that Poland must reach for the most modern possibilities, also related to nuclear weapons and modern unconventional weapons," he said, pledging Poland would use "every available opportunity to increase our defence".
...Tusk, who this week has called on Europe to strengthen its defences to win the "arms race" with Moscow, has also backed withdrawing his country from a landmark treaty prohibiting the use of anti-personnel landmines.
"I will recommend a positive opinion for Poland to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and possibly from the Dublin Convention," Tusk told lawmakers, referring to treaties on anti-personnel mines and on cluster munitions.
"Let's face it: it's not something nice, nothing pleasant. We know that very well," Tusk said.
"The problem is that in our environment, those we may be afraid of, or those who are at war, they all have it," he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
At least two NATO countries, Finland and Lithuania — both also bordering Russia — have in the past months mulled exiting from the Ottawa Convention.
Lithuania on Thursday has quit the treaty banning cluster bombs citing security concerns over a threat from Moscow, sparking outrage from human rights watchdogs.
Amnesty International called the move “disastrous”, while Human Rights Watch said it was “alarming”, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned it “weakens vital protections for civilians”.
But Tusk brushed off a potential backlash.
“We will not look at anyone. We will not fear anyone’s criticism,” he told the parliamen
It’s amazing how motivated Europe can be when they can’t depend on Uncle Sugar.
The eurotrash can go to hell.
I think it’s mighty unwoke of these countries to use banned weapons to defend themselves. What’s next, napalm and neutron bombs?
European defense industries said "yippee!"
My prediction is that Poland and Ukraine will form some kind of joint military defense pact at the end of this war which could include nuclear weapons.
I have been doing that since Feb 2022 as I live in Podkarpackie, the south east tip of Poland.
Thankfully the Ukrainians have been fighting off the Muscowite invasion so far.
But we need to be ready for any eventuality
It doesn’t make much sense to give up the right to use weapons your enemy will certainly use against you. Note that Trump halted the destruction of US cluster munitions until such time as a similarly effective alternative is available.
“Note that Trump halted the destruction of US cluster munitions until such time as a similarly effective alternative is available.”
Luckily for Ukraine as they made good use of them.
Si vis pacem parabellum.
L
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