Tusk’s remarks came a day after he said Poland would not join the U.S.-proposed Board of Peace “under these circumstances”, adding that while Warsaw remains close to the United States, it will only support international initiatives that match Poland’s interests. “Poland was, is and will be a loyal, reliable and predictable ally of the United States,” Tusk told Polish media on Thursday after a meeting of the National Security Council. “But in this alliance, Poland is not and will not be—as long as I am prime minister—a vassal. We will be a faithful ally, but we will not be a vassal in relations with any country in the world,” Tusk said. He added that alliances must be based on partnership, not submissiveness. “Relations between allies cannot rely on someone constantly nodding and trying to gain something through flattery, because that does not work,” he said.