Polish PM Donald Tusk warns of escalating Russian threat to NATO’s eastern flank

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters that the security situation on NATO’s eastern flank remains “highly unstable” after a meeting in Gdańsk with leaders of Poland, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Sweden. He warned that “different forms of escalation” could occur in the coming weeks and months, and that the bordering states of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine face common security challenges.

Tusk called for “full unity and full solidarity” among the countries and said the same warning will be presented at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. He also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliatory measures and that Moscow could stage a false‑flag provocation to justify further escalation.