Poland Plans Military Training for All Adult Males by 2025

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to implement large-scale military training for every adult male in Poland, aimed at enhancing the country's defense capabilities in light of potential threats from Russia. Tusk emphasized that this initiative is intended to create a reserve force of capable soldiers by the end of the year, although he clarified that the training would not be compulsory. In addition, he expressed the need to increase the size of the Polish army from 200,000 to 500,000 personnel and hinted at exploring a nuclear arsenal for national security. Tusk also advocated for Poland's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, citing the security landscape in Europe. The Prime Minister noted that while the training will be open to women, it is primarily targeted at men, aligning with traditional military roles. These developments come amid concerns over the reliability of U.S. support for European defense, particularly under changing political circumstances.