Tusk discusses with NATO chief possible Russian provocations against alliance members
Polish PM Donald Tusk says he discussed the security situation in Eastern Europe with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, warning that Russian escalation is ongoing and the coming months will be decisive. He did not rule out possible Russian provocations against a NATO member.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that he spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the security situation in Eastern Europe and developments on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. Tusk shared the update on the platform X.
According to Tusk, Rutte presented his assessment of the regional situation and the course of the war. The Polish leader stressed that escalation from Russia is continuing, which is why Ukraine requires greater air support — something he described as important for regional security as well, and a task for Europe as a whole.
Tusk said that both Poland and NATO must be ready for a range of scenarios, calling the next six months decisive. He added that the possibility of Russian provocations directed at a NATO member state cannot be excluded.
Earlier warnings
On 28 August, Tusk had already said there were signs that Russia was seriously preparing for an escalation, and that the following seven to eight months could prove critical for the security of Ukraine, Poland and the wider region.
Separately, on the morning of 26 August, US President Donald Trump dismissed claims that CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow was aimed at persuading Putin not to test NATO's resolve.
