Kierwiński: Tusk asks serious questions that the whole world is discussing

Prime Minister Donald Tusk asks serious questions that the whole world is discussing. It's good that he's discussing, because NATO and the United States are the pillar of our security, Marcin Kierwiński, head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration and Secretary General of KO, said on Sunday when asked about Tusk's interview with the Financial Times.

Prime Minister Tusk said in an interview for the Financial Times published on Friday that he sometimes “has some problems” with believing that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty on the mutual defense of NATO allies is still in force. He emphasized that the US treats Poland as one of the best and closest allies in Europe, but the key is how it would work in practice if “something happened.”

PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński said on Sunday on the “Tusk is destroying Polish-American relations, and at this time Germany is tightening cooperation with the Americans on the NATO 3.0 concept,” wrote the PiS leader.

When asked on Sunday on TVP Info about this opinion of the PiS president, Kierwiński replied that he was concerned about the “substantive and mental competences of MP Kaczyński.” – He sees these Germans everywhere, he sees conspiracies, aliens and so on – he added.

– However, this is an obvious question, also in the context of the discussion taking place in NATO: how efficient is NATO today to react to possible Russian aggression? I think every Pole asks himself this question, noted Kierwiński.

In Kierwiński's opinion, “Kaczyński is talking nonsense, no one is listening, and Tusk is asking serious questions that the whole world is discussing.” – And it's good that the whole world is discussing this, because NATO and the United States are one of the pillars of our security – emphasized the minister.

In an interview with the FT, Tusk also emphasized that “the biggest and most important question for Europe is whether the United States is ready to be as loyal as described in our (NATO) treaties.” He also warned that Russia could attack an Alliance member within “months rather than years.” He assessed that the EU should strengthen its own mutual defense clause contained in Art. 42 section 7 of the Treaty on European Union.

The daily, calling Tusk's statements an “extraordinary statement,” emphasized that it reflected the growing uncertainty in Europe following U.S. President Donald Trump's threats and his wavering commitment to defend the continent. (PAP)

mja/ agz/