During the Thursday press conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Donald Tusk summed up the end of Polish conductivity, referring to the findings of the NATO summit, which took place the day before. The alliance member states have committed to increasing defense expenditure to a level of 5 percent. GDP. – After many difficulties and doubts, a consensus was achieved, and the established level of expenditure was called the symbol of Polish determination – – said Tusk, emphasizing the role of Poland in bringing this breakthrough agreement.
The prime minister together with Von der Leyen and the chairman of the European Council Antonio Costa pointed to the successes of the Polish presidency, including an extension for another six months of applicable economic sanctions against Russia in the context of war in Ukraine. Tusk with satisfaction accepted the decision of EU leaders, emphasizing that all current restrictions remain in force.
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During the conference, the Prime Minister also referred to the work on the new, 18th package of sanctions, which focuses on counteracting the activities of the so -called Russian shadow fleet. He expressed concern about the threats that this practice creates for infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and the maritime ecosystem. – This is not only a threat to our infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, but it can also be – it is already – a gigantic environmental threat – he noted, adding that work on new sanctions would be continued.
Antonio Costa recalled the issue of support for Ukraine, emphasizing that Kiev continues to reform in difficult conditions, which, according to the President of the European Council, requires acceleration of community's actions. “Time for even more intensive support,” Costa appealed. Ursula von der Leyen, said to him, stating: Ukraine has done its part of work, now the turn to us.
During the Ursula von der Leyen conference, directly addressing Prime Minister Tusk, she emphasized the impressive number of accepted legal acts and negotiated agreements, calling the Polish Presidency Difficult but effective.
“Your presidency was difficult, but you managed,” von der Leyen said to Tusk. She pointed to 37 adopted legal acts and negotiating an agreement between member countries regarding the next 18. “These are impressive numbers,” said the chairwoman of the EC.
Migration is still a problem
Prime Minister Tusk also referred to the changes that have occurred in Europe in the last six months in the context of migration policy. He directed attention to the growing determination of the Member States in the protection of the external borders of the community, which he considers to be a key element of limiting illegal migration flows. – The problem cannot be marginalized, effective protection of borders is the only method – emphasized the Polish head of government.
Donald Tusk also introduced the effects of the Wednesday meeting of the group of friends of Ukraine, in which the leaders of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Poland participated. The guest of this meeting was also the President of Ukraine, Wołodymyr Zelnski. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland pointed to the growing opportunities for the joint actions of Europe and the United States in the field of sanctions against Russia and further support for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister noted that the final chord of the Polish presidency emphasizes the norm of solidarity of the entire community with the fighting Ukraine. – This is not a happy ending yet, but a clear signal that support for Ukraine has become a European standard – he assessed.
The head of the Polish government also referred to the European level of defense expenditure, which in his opinion still remains unsatisfactory. At the same time, he expressed the hope that the pressure from the USA, and especially the administration of Donald Trump, would mobilize European leaders. – The era of military holidays in Europe has come to an end – summed up the prime minister.
