Poland is considering gaining access to nuclear weapons and ensuring that every man undergoes military training as part of a strategy to build a 500,000-strong army to counter the threat from Russia, Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament on Friday.
The country’s significant military expansion comes amid growing concerns across Europe that U.S. President Donald Trump may align with the Kremlin and distance himself from America’s traditional Western alliances—a geopolitical shift that Warsaw sees as a potential existential threat.
Tusk stated that Poland “is talking seriously” with France about being included under the French nuclear umbrella. French President Emmanuel Macron has opened the door to discussions on how France’s nuclear deterrent could be used to protect Europe.
Tusk emphasized that Poland cannot rely solely on conventional weapons.
“We must be aware that Poland must reach for the most modern capabilities also related to nuclear weapons and modern unconventional weapons … this is a race for security, not for war,” he said.
He cited Ukraine as an example, noting that the country relinquished its nuclear arsenal and is now under attack by Russia.
Tusk also addressed the planned expansion of Poland’s conventional military forces.
“By the end of the year, we want to have a model ready so that every adult male in Poland is trained for war, and so that this reserve is adequate for possible threats,” he said.
Currently, Poland’s military comprises approximately 200,000 personnel, making it the third-largest in NATO after the U.S. and Turkey and the largest among the alliance’s EU members. Tusk highlighted that Ukraine’s military consists of around 800,000 troops, while Russia has approximately 1.3 million personnel under arms.
“Every healthy man should want to train to be able to defend the homeland in case of need. We will prepare it in such a way that it will not be a burden on people,” Tusk said. He added that women would also have the opportunity to volunteer, though he noted that “war is still, to a greater extent, the domain of men.”
Tusk clarified that this initiative does not mark a return to conscription, which was abolished in Poland in 2008. However, the decision to end conscription was made in a different geopolitical climate.
Now, escalating concerns about Russia, coupled with uncertainty over the reliability of Poland’s traditional alliance with the United States, are driving a major shift in military planning.
“Poles will not adopt the philosophy that we are completely powerless and helpless, if President Trump has decided to adjust policy,” Tusk said.
Poland ArmyDespite these efforts, Tusk reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to NATO.
“Poland is not changing its opinion on the need, the absolutely fundamental need to maintain the closest possible ties with the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This is in general indisputable,” he said.
Poland is already the top defense spender within NATO, allocating 4.7 percent of its gross domestic product to defense this year. Tusk told parliament that spending should rise to 5 percent of GDP—a target that U.S. President Trump has also promoted.
The country is investing billions in military equipment, including Abrams tanks, Patriot missile defense systems, and F-35 fighter jets from the U.S., as well as K2 Black Panther main battle tanks, K9A1 Thunder howitzers, Homar-K rocket systems, and jet trainers from South Korea.
The uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s stance on NATO is particularly troubling for Poland, which has anchored its security strategy around a close partnership with the U.S.
There are currently about 10,000 American troops stationed in Poland, and the country has prioritized purchasing U.S. military hardware—a practice that has drawn criticism from other European nations.
However, recent events, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s tense visit to the White House, the U.S. halting military aid to Ukraine, and Trump’s remarks suggesting that NATO obligations might be conditional on defense spending levels, have raised serious concerns in Warsaw.
“We are seeing a deep correction in U.S. policy with regard to Ukraine, but we can’t turn our backs to it only because we don’t like it. We must be precise and honest in assessing what it means and what serves our interest and what doesn’t,” Tusk told parliament.
Despite Poland’s planned military buildup, Tusk maintained that Polish troops would not be deployed to Ukraine to enforce any potential peace agreement.
He asserted that Europe has the economic strength to stand up to Russia.
“Our deficit has been the lack of the will to act, having no confidence, and sometimes even cowardice. But Russia will be helpless against a united Europe,” Tusk said. He added: “It’s striking but it’s true. Right now, 500 million Europeans are begging 300 million Americans for protection from 140 million Russians who have been unable to overcome 50 million Ukrainians for three years.”
Tusk also announced plans for Poland to withdraw from international treaties banning the use of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions.
Despite the military expansion, he reiterated that Polish troops would not be sent to Ukraine to enforce a peace settlement, a move that France and the U.K. are reportedly considering.
“Poland’s job is to guard its eastern border, which is also the border of NATO and the European Union,” he said.