Poland confronts cost of new European security order

Russia is seeking peace talks over Ukraine while reviving broader demands that could reshape Europe’s security order, including limits on NATO’s military presence in countries that joined after 1997. Recent negotiations in Abu Dhabi produced no ceasefire or territorial settlement, although prisoner exchanges were discussed. Poland is meanwhile pressing for a new permanent US military base that could host about 5,000 troops, but Washington has not yet approved the project. European leaders meeting in Dublin agreed that Poland, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, EU institutions and NATO should participate in talks affecting Europe’s security.

Warsaw fears any settlement that weakens NATO’s eastern flank could increase Poland’s already high defense burden and leave Ukraine vulnerable to renewed Russian aggression.

(pb.pl)