Instead of strengthening NATO and defending the principle of unanimity in the European Union, Donald Tusk’s government is endorsing a report and actions that may weaken Poland’s security. The Bruegel Institute report, commissioned by the Polish presidency, proposes creating a military structure outside the EU framework, operating beyond the EU Treaty and without veto rights. To make matters worse, Poles are once again learning about the details of this project from the German press—this time from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
Thus, Poland’s seemingly uneventful EU presidency turns out to be active—but in ways that raise doubts regarding Poland’s national interest.
A Step Toward Chaos or Integration?
At an informal meeting of EU finance ministers, Poland’s Finance Minister Andrzej Domański spoke about financing arms purchases in Europe.
“The most pressing issue in Europe is financing security and defense,” he stated, as reported by the German newspaper.
This topic serves as the starting point for the Bruegel report—one of the most influential think tanks in Brussels. Notably, the document was commissioned at the initiative of Poland’s EU Council presidency.
The report presents the concept of a European Defense Mechanism (EDM)—a new intergovernmental structure created outside the EU framework. The EDM would handle joint arms procurement, integrate the European defense market, and ultimately compete with NATO as a security institution.
Decisions within the EDM would be made by a qualified majority, weighted by each country’s financial contribution. This effectively strips Poland of its veto power, which it currently holds under the EU’s unanimity rule.
Poles Read About It in German Newspapers
Although the Polish government sponsored the report, it has not informed its citizens about its content or political consequences. As Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted, the proposals presented in Warsaw “go far beyond what the European Commission has proposed.” Critical voices include German Minister of State for Europe Jörg Kukies, who argued that existing EU instruments should be used first instead of creating new, complicated structures.
Once again, Donald Tusk’s government is keeping crucial information from the public, leaving citizens to learn the details and implications from the German press.
Bypassing the Treaty and Undermining Sovereignty
The authors of the report commissioned by Poland’s presidency do not hide their goal: to circumvent the need for EU Treaty changes by creating an intergovernmental mechanism outside the bloc.
They admit that Article 346 of the TFEU “excludes goods related to national security from the single market,” opening a loophole for such a structure.
The new institution would operate independently of the European Commission, without accountability to the European Parliament, and—most importantly—without the unanimity rule that has so far protected smaller states from the dominance of major players.
Berlin and Paris Will Rule, While Poland Only Pays
The Bruegel report provides concrete figures: in 2023, the revenues of 27 European arms companies amounted to €130 billion—half that of their American counterparts. The authors argue that only large-scale joint procurement can reduce costs and end technological chaos.
But instead of reforming NATO and strengthening transatlantic cooperation, the EDM’s creators propose a new structure—controlled by the biggest contributors, namely Germany and France. Eastern flank countries, including Poland, would be relegated to observer status, contributing financially but having no real influence.
Poland Promotes a Project That Weakens It
Once again, Poles are learning from German media that their government—instead of strengthening Poland’s position—is initiating and endorsing solutions that may turn the country into a mere payer with no real say.
The EDM would operate on the principle: “Who pays more, decides more.” And Poland—despite facing major geopolitical threats and being a frontline state—would be just one of many participants.
This logic contradicts the principles of collective security, especially since Western countries—which for decades ignored the Russian threat and financed the Kremlin through energy deals—are now trying to impose their own solutions on all of Europe.
The Bruegel report, though full of substantive analysis, proposes a direction dangerous for Poland’s national interest. A majority-based mechanism, an extra-EU structure, no veto power, and deeper integration bypassing treaties—these are not the reforms Central Europe needs.
By supporting this concept and hiding its details from the public, Donald Tusk’s government aligns with the Brussels line that marginalizes Poland and weakens NATO.