Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that his government is developing a strategy to provide large-scale military training for all adult men in response to the evolving security landscape in Europe. He envisions an army of 500,000 soldiers, including reservists, to be ready by the end of the year. This plan is intended to create a trained reserve comparable and appropriate to potential threats, according to Tusk’s speech to Poland’s Sejm, the lower house of parliament.
The government’s previous plans included expanding the military from about 200,000 in 2024 to 300,000 by this year. However, recent escalations in security concerns, exacerbated by Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine and the withdrawal of U.S. military and intelligence support to Ukraine, have led to more drastic measures.
Tusk clarified that he is not considering the return of compulsory military service but rather a reserve system modeled after Switzerland’s, where every man is required to serve in the military or a civilian alternative. He also suggested that Poland should consider nuclear “possibilities” and might withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel landmines, as well as the Dublin Convention, which bans cluster munitions. Finland and Lithuania have also considered exiting the Ottawa Convention in recent months.
Poland, with its location along NATO’s eastern flank and a population of 38 million, is deeply worried about the war in Ukraine and potential future Russian imperial ambitions targeting countries like Poland. Opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczyński of the conservative Law and Justice party emphasized the need for a societal mindset change, advocating a return to a chivalric ethos where men are also soldiers, prepared to face death if necessary.
The geopolitical concerns have been intensified by President Donald Trump’s signals of supporting Russia, creating anxiety in Poland and across Europe. Despite his stern warning to Russia following massive strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, there is a fear that if Ukraine is defeated or capitulates, Poland’s geopolitical situation will become more perilous.
In light of these developments, President Andrzej Duda has proposed a constitutional amendment that would require Poland to spend at least 4% of its GDP annually on defense. Poland already spends a higher percentage of GDP on defense compared to other NATO members, reaching 4.1% last year and aiming for 4.7% this year. However, Duda aims to enshrine this commitment in the constitution to ensure it remains consistent across political shifts.
Trump has previously suggested that the U.S. might abandon its NATO commitments if member countries fail to meet defense spending targets.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/poland-plans-military-training-for-every-adult-male-amid-growing-european-security-fears
