Poland seeks EU special treatment as it balances Ukraine aid and eastern border defence

Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, urged a cross‑party consensus on continued military assistance to Ukraine, warning that halting support could weaken Poland’s own security. The government has supplied roughly 15 billion zloty in weapons and equipment to Kyiv in 2022‑23 and an additional 1.55 billion zloty in 2024, including PAC‑3 missiles for Patriot air‑defence systems. A parliamentary dispute has emerged over the timing and transparency of those Patriot deliveries and a shortage of ammunition needed to intercept incoming rockets.

At the same time, Tusk appealed to the European Union for a “special treatment” to bolster the protection of the EU’s eastern frontier, arguing that Poland bears a “great responsibility” for defending the border while the bulk of the effort remains focused on Ukraine. He pledged continued support for Kyiv but said Poland would act cautiously before committing further aid that could jeopardise its own interests, a stance he expects to stress at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.