Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hosted his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen in Warsaw on Monday afternoon. “This is yet another meeting of ours that pertains to the future of Europe,” he said during a joint press conference. The topics the two heads of government discussed included working toward a unified EU approach in supporting Ukraine, as well as European and NATO security policy. As Tusk said, he and Frederiksen “share very similar views.”
“On the most important issue, which is the security of Europe, the war caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine and the need for quick and effective assistance to Ukraine, and not in the coming years, but in the coming days and weeks,” the Polish prime minister said “All this unites Denmark and Poland as well as the [Danish] Prime Minister and myself. On the matter, our views are not similar but identical.”
“Cooperation between Poland and Denmark is part of regional cooperation, and the role of the Prime Minister [Frederiksen] cannot be overestimated when it comes to consolidating the activities of the countries of the northeastern region of Europe,” Tusk said.
He also emphasized that Poland and Denmark will continue to “guard this unambiguity of the EU in the way the developments in the East are assessed.”
“We will work together today and in the future on a unified, clear, and honest EU position on the war in Ukraine,” the prime minister said, adding that “we will be among those who help and mobilize others to help Ukraine.”
“Denmark and Poland rule out any other scenario than one in which Ukraine maintains its integrity and independence,” the Polish prime minister stressed.
When asked what his expectations were toward other European leaders in terms of helping Ukraine, Tusk said that “Today we have a better situation than two, three years ago; Europe is now in a much better moral, ethical shape than it used to be.”
“Cooperation between Poland and Denmark is part of regional cooperation, and the role of the Prime Minister [Frederiksen] cannot be overestimated when it comes to consolidating the activities of the countries of the northeastern region of Europe,” Tusk said.
He also emphasized that Poland and Denmark will continue to “guard this unambiguity of the EU in the way the developments in the East are assessed.”
“We will work together today and in the future on a unified, clear, and honest EU position on the war in Ukraine,” the prime minister said, adding that “we will be among those who help and mobilize others to help Ukraine.”
“Denmark and Poland rule out any other scenario than one in which Ukraine maintains its integrity and independence,” the Polish prime minister stressed.
When asked what his expectations were toward other European leaders in terms of helping Ukraine, Tusk said that “Today we have a better situation than two, three years ago; Europe is now in a much better moral, ethical shape than it used to be.”
“Today, in Berlin, Paris, and other European capitals there is a readiness to support Ukraine,” he said, citing the recent German decision to send another batch of Patriot batteries to Ukraine as an example.
“This is not just a symbolic gesture but a new approach,” said the head of the Polish government. As he pointed out, until “six, seven months ago, it was difficult to imagine that Germany would be ready to send this kind of equipment there.”
“However, we will not complain to others in Brussels. Rather, we should prepare ourselves for more and more pragmatic solutions,” Tusk said, although he believed there is always room for improvement.
Denmark and Poland operate within four or five coalition formats, Tusk noted, giving as example the munitions, tank, drone, and cyber defense coalitions.
“European leaders of allied countries are saying: we are ready to spend more and more,” he said.
“The European Union has proven to be much more effective than other world powers when it comes to figures,” Tusk said, adding that “this trend should be maintained,” while acknowledging that there are, of course, objective obstacles when it comes to munitions production.
Putin cannot change borders by force
“This is not just a symbolic gesture but a new approach,” said the head of the Polish government. As he pointed out, until “six, seven months ago, it was difficult to imagine that Germany would be ready to send this kind of equipment there.”
“However, we will not complain to others in Brussels. Rather, we should prepare ourselves for more and more pragmatic solutions,” Tusk said, although he believed there is always room for improvement.
Denmark and Poland operate within four or five coalition formats, Tusk noted, giving as example the munitions, tank, drone, and cyber defense coalitions.
“European leaders of allied countries are saying: we are ready to spend more and more,” he said.
“The European Union has proven to be much more effective than other world powers when it comes to figures,” Tusk said, adding that “this trend should be maintained,” while acknowledging that there are, of course, objective obstacles when it comes to munitions production.
Putin cannot change borders by force
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seconded Tusk in stressing that Poland and Denmark are close allies and jointly support Ukraine. She acknowledged that she and Prime Minister Tusk both agree that “the EU should do more in the field of security and to strengthen NATO so that Putin cannot change Europe’s border by force.”
She noted that Poland is a leader when it comes to building European defense and a model for others, including Denmark, to follow. The Danish prime minister also said that she and Tusk “agree that we need to continue our tireless support for Ukraine’s self-defense, all of us will work even closer together.”
She noted that the number of Russian air attacks on Ukrainian territory, both against military targets and civilian infrastructure, is increasing. In this context, she assessed that Ukraine should also be supported in boosting its air defense capabilities, something that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for last week.
She noted that Poland is a leader when it comes to building European defense and a model for others, including Denmark, to follow. The Danish prime minister also said that she and Tusk “agree that we need to continue our tireless support for Ukraine’s self-defense, all of us will work even closer together.”
She noted that the number of Russian air attacks on Ukrainian territory, both against military targets and civilian infrastructure, is increasing. In this context, she assessed that Ukraine should also be supported in boosting its air defense capabilities, something that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for last week.
“Germany has already answered the call by donating an extra Patriots system to Ukraine, more needs to follow now and time is of the essence, we need to do it now so they are able to protect themselves and to secure the infrastructure,” Frederiksen added.
Regarding a similar appeal for an increase in ammunition deliveries for Ukraine, she assured that “More ammunition and supports are on its way through the Czech initiative, both of our countries are delivering and Poland plays a vital role in getting our military support into Ukraine.”
She also said that Poland and Denmark will hold the EU presidency next year and stressed how it will be a historic moment, including in the context of Ukraine. Frederiksen expressed the belief that thanks to cooperation between Warsaw and Copenhagen the right decision will be made.
Regarding a similar appeal for an increase in ammunition deliveries for Ukraine, she assured that “More ammunition and supports are on its way through the Czech initiative, both of our countries are delivering and Poland plays a vital role in getting our military support into Ukraine.”
She also said that Poland and Denmark will hold the EU presidency next year and stressed how it will be a historic moment, including in the context of Ukraine. Frederiksen expressed the belief that thanks to cooperation between Warsaw and Copenhagen the right decision will be made.
Source: PAP, TVP
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