Tusk: time to consider military presence on Russia-Belarus borders
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said it is time to consider European troops' possible presence on the borders with Russia and Belarus, urging Europe to look after its security.
"A lot is being said about giving Ukraine security guarantees, but we should be safe ourselves," Tusk said before he joined other attendees of the Special European Summit on Ukraine in Brussels on Thursday. He cited it as the reason for Europe's need to protect its borders against the growing Russian military threat.
"The Shield East, which is not solely a Polish project after Finnish and Baltic involvement in it, as well the EU's eastern border, have become a priority and are no more questioned," the head of government added.
The Shield East initiative is set to fortify the Polish borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and includes the construction of barriers and fences along the border, equipped with military facilities. The project is under construction and is due to be finished by 2028.
The European skies, Tusk said, also need better defence, stressing the same need for the Baltic countries and the area of cybersecurity.
The pivotal gathering in the EU capital has Ukraine at the centre of its agenda, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joining the meeting in person. (PAP)
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