Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has cautioned that Europe is currently experiencing a “pre-war era,” emphasizing that if Ukraine succumbs to Russia, no one should harbor a sense of security.
His concerning remarks coincided with the necessity for NATO fighter jets to be deployed in response to Russia’s extensive aerial assault near Ukraine’s border with Poland, specifically targeting three power plants.
“I don’t want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past,” he said “It’s real and it started over two years ago.”
Mr. Tusk highlighted that Vladimir Putin swiftly attributed the jihadist attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall to Ukraine without presenting any evidence, indicating a perceived necessity to rationalize increasingly aggressive assaults on civilian targets within Ukraine.
The gravity of Mr. Tusk’s statement underscores the urgency of the situation, as he contends that Europe is facing a threat unparalleled since the end of World War II.
Of particular concern to Mr. Tusk is the disconcerting reality that “literally any scenario is possible,” reflecting the profound anxieties gripping Europe due to Russia’s bellicose actions, despite Putin’s repeated denials of any intent to attack NATO.
Recent events have only intensified these concerns, with Mr. Tusk deeming the scrambling of NATO fighter jets near Poland a “troubling incident.” While he views a conflict with Russia as a deeply disturbing possibility, he also emphasized that Europe remains ill-prepared to confront the looming threat.
“We must be ready. Europe still has a long way to go,” he said, urging member states to meet NATO’s target of allocating 2% of their GDP to defence. And he also pointed to the need for continued support in Ukraine to halt Russia’s aggression.
“Today we have to spend as much as we can to buy equipment and ammunition for Ukraine, because we are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War,” he stressed. The outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, Mr Tusk warned, will have far-reaching implications for the security and stability of the entire continent.
Russia targeted three thermal power plants belonging to Ukraine’s largest private power firm, DTEK, near the Polish border, causing severe damage to the equipment, according to a company spokesperson.
Following the attack, DTEK stated on the Telegram messaging app that power engineers immediately began repairing the damage. Additionally, Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo reported significant damage to both thermal and hydropower plants as a result of missile and drone attacks.
