Main information
- Polish citizens train with the army to prepare for a potential war.
- Poland aims to extend its military training program to the whole country, by providing each adult man with basic military skills.
- The country is looking for other security partnerships, including a defense agreement which could place it under the nuclear umbrella of France.
In Wroclaw, Poland, ordinary citizens train in handling weapons, learn to shoot and fight with melee. This initiative, called “training with the army”, reflects a deep concern in the face of the Russian military threat. The program is so popular that the Polish government plans to extend it to the whole country, with the aim of providing each adult man with basic military skills.
Poland’s defense budget is expected to reach almost 5 percent of GDP this year, making it the most expense country of NATO. This significant investment includes the purchase of advanced weapons from different countries. The objective is clear: to build “the strongest army in the region”, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Alternative defense agreements
The declarations and actions of the Trump administration have fueled anxiety in Poland. The prospect of a reduction in the American military presence in Europe, associated with ambiguous signals concerning NATO’s commitment, has prompted Warsaw to seek other security partnerships. Poland negotiates defense agreements with France and the United Kingdom, which could place it under the nuclear umbrella of France, reports BBC.
Poland’s historical experience in terms of Russian aggression shapes its current concerns. Wanda Traczyk-Stawska, a 98-year-old old-fashioned older fighter, remembers the trauma caused by the Russian invasion in 1939. She believes that Poland must be well armed to dissuade any new attack.
-Polish citizens are worried
The resurgence of fear is reflected in the growing demand for antiatomical shelters. Janusz Janczy, owner of ShelterPro, reports an increase in requests for information since the entry of Donald Trump. Customers express their concern about Russia’s intentions and their uncertainty about NATO’s desire to defend Poland.
Despite these preparations, a recent survey indicates that only a small percentage of Poles is ready to voluntarily engage in the army in the event of war. Many young people, while recognizing the threat, give priority to their personal security rather than national defense. The prospect of a conflict remains distant, but it is present in the minds of many Poles.
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