Polish PM Tusk Defends NATO: Claims of Collapse are Nonsense

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

MUNICH, GERMANY —  Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a firm defense of the Western alliance at the Munich Security Conference, dismissing claims of NATO's obsolescence as "nonsense" while honoring the resilient spirit of the Ukrainian people.

Speaking during the presentation of the Ewald von Kleist Award to the people of Ukraine, Tusk emphasized that the struggle for sovereignty against Russian aggression serves as a vital reminder of core democratic values. He strongly rejected narratives suggesting that Europe is on the brink of collapse or that the Transatlantic alliance has lost its relevance in the modern era.

Honoring the people of Ukraine

The Ewald von Kleist Award was presented to the Ukrainian people for their heroic defense of sovereignty and freedom. Tusk noted that no single award could fully capture the gravity of their sacrifice. "No award is enough. Even a Nobel Prize would not be sufficient. I believe you definitely deserve more," the Polish leader stated, acknowledging both the bravery of the defenders and the hardships faced by the civilian population.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the award alongside representatives of the Ukrainian people, highlighting the continued importance of allied support in defending territorial integrity.

A rebuke of geopolitical "nonsense"

A central theme of Tusk's address was a sharp rebuttal to internal and external critics of the Western order. Addressing rumors of a fractured West, Tusk said, "I hear views that Europe is on the verge of collapse, that NATO is out of fashion... Nonsense."

He warned against a "political realism" solely based on interests and transactional relationships, arguing that such a philosophy erodes the foundations of civilization. "Those who think that everything can be bought should not forget that, according to this philosophy, everyone can also be sold," Tusk cautioned, urging a return to values-based diplomacy.

Defending the "best political invention"

Using the experiences of Poland and Ukraine as benchmarks, Tusk argued that Western values—often taken for granted as mundane daily realities—remain the most powerful motivators for society. He described a united West, with its institutions and shared democratic principles, as the "best political invention in human history."

Tusk concluded his speech with a call for unity and strength, stating that the "Ukraine lesson" for the world is to remain steadfast against both external enemies and internal threats. "We must be strong. We must not stop being good. Long live a free and independent Ukraine. Long live a strong and united Europe," Tusk declared.

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