In response to the evolving security landscape, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Friday that the government is developing plans for extensive military training for all adult men.

Tusk stated in a major security address to the Sejm (Poland’s lower house of parliament) that the military training aims to establish a reserve force “adequate to possible threats.”

He emphasized the need for a 500,000-strong army, including reservists.

Last year’s figures indicated approximately 200,000 soldiers, with plans to increase to 220,000 this year and eventually reach 300,000.

Heightened security concerns have arisen recently due to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine and the Trump administration’s reduced military and intelligence support for Ukraine, coupled with questions about its NATO commitments.

“Today we are talking about the need for a half-million army in Poland,” Tusk reiterated.

Following his address, Tusk clarified that the plan involves a reserve system similar to Switzerland’s, not a return to mandatory conscription. Switzerland requires all men to serve in the military or perform alternative civilian service, while women can volunteer.

Poland, a country of 38 million people situated on NATO’s eastern border, is deeply concerned about the war in Ukraine. There are fears that a defeated Ukraine could lead Russia to target countries like Poland, which it controlled in the past.

Jaroslaw Kaczyński, leader of the main opposition party, Law and Justice, stressed the need for a societal change in mindset alongside military training.

“We will have a return to the chivalric ethos and to the fact that men should also be soldiers, that is, be able to expose themselves, even to death,” Kaczyński added.

Growing concern exists in Poland and across Europe due to signals from U.S. President Donald Trump indicating a shift toward supporting Russia’s position, despite his recent warning to Russia after attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

“If Ukraine loses the war or if it accepts the terms of peace, armistice, or capitulation in such a way that weakens its sovereignty and makes it easier for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to gain control , then, without a doubt — and we can all agree on that — Poland will find itself in a much more difficult geopolitical situation,” Tusk warned.

President Andrzej Duda announced Friday that he is proposing a constitutional amendment to mandate a minimum annual defense spending of 4% of Poland’s GDP.

Poland already surpasses NATO’s defense spending targets, allocating over 4% of its GDP this year. Duda aims to solidify this commitment in law, capitalizing on current political consensus.

Trump has hinted at potential U.S. withdrawal from NATO if member states fail to meet defense spending requirements.

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