Reuters reported on 24일(현지시간), citing a Financial Times interview, that Tusk said, “Europe’s biggest and most important question is whether, if Russia attacks a NATO member, the United States is ready to act as a loyal ally, as the treaty states.”
His remarks reflect concerns that U.S. policy toward Europe and pressure on allies under President Donald Trump have shaken confidence in Washington’s security guarantees.
Tusk described the risk of a Russian attack as a near-term threat. “The key question for the entire eastern front and for my neighboring countries is whether NATO is ready — politically and also militarily and logistically — to respond to a situation like a Russian attack,” he said. Calling it “a really serious issue,” he added that he was speaking in “months, not years.”
He said other NATO members should treat collective defense obligations as seriously as Poland does, and that allies need confidence they attach the same weight to those duties. Poland is a key NATO country on the alliance’s eastern flank, bordering Russia and Belarus.
Tusk also urged a stronger role for the European Union. He said the EU must become a “real ally” in protecting the continent and called for clearer implementation of Article 42(7) of the EU treaty, the mutual defense clause requiring member states to assist a country that comes under armed attack.
He said defense pledges must be backed by real capabilities. “To be a real alliance, not just one on paper, you need real tools and strength, including the ability to move defense assets and troops across countries,” Tusk said. He called it “a very practical issue today,” adding that his “obsession and mission” is to reunite Europe through “a joint effort for common defense and protection of the eastern border.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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