Poland plans mandatory military training for all men, says Donald Tusk

BREAKING – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced plans to introduce large-scale military training for all adult men, as part of an effort to bolster national defence amid growing regional security concerns.

Addressing the Sejm, Poland’s parliament, Tusk stated that the government aims to finalise the details by the end of the year.

“We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war, so that this reserve is comparable and adequate to the potential threats,” he said.

Poland currently has around 200,000 troops, but Tusk wants to expand this figure to 500,000, including reservists, to strengthen the country’s military capabilities. He highlighted Ukraine’s 800,000-strong army and Russia’s 1.3 million troops as key factors in Poland’s defence strategy.

While women may also undergo training, Tusk noted that “war is still to a greater extent the domain of men.” Additionally, he called for defence spending to rise from 4.7% to 5% of GDP and suggested Poland should withdraw from international treaties banning landmines and cluster munitions.

The proposal signals a major shift in Poland’s military policy, reflecting heightened security concerns in the region.

GOING FURTHER

• Poland announces military training plan for all men | BBC NEWS

• Poland mulls enshrining defence spending, plans army training for all menPoland mulls enshrining defence spending, plans army training for all men | REUTERS

• Poland seeks access to nuclear arms and looks to build half-million-man army | POLITICO

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▪ This piece was first published in Europeans TODAY on 7 March 2025.

▪ Cover: Dreamstime/LCVA.