Prime Minister Donald Tusk proudly announced that Polish and German soldiers are jointly building the “Eastern Shield” defense system. While German politicians have openly praised the cooperation, there is no shortage of critical voices in Poland. Social media users are asking why Bundeswehr engineering units are participating in the expansion of Poland’s defense infrastructure and whether this is what was promised as a program to strengthen the country’s security.
It is worth recalling that in May 2024, Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented the National Defense and Deterrence Plan, “Eastern Shield.” The program, for which the government pledged PLN 10 billion, includes the construction of fortifications and defensive barriers along Poland’s eastern border.
“Eastern Shield.” Germany to Help With Construction
After two years and numerous interventions by the opposition on the issue, preliminary work is now underway. Earlier today, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces announced that German Bundeswehr engineering units would assist in expanding defense infrastructure as part of the “Eastern Shield” program.
“At Poland’s invitation, Bundeswehr soldiers are supporting the implementation of the ‘Eastern Shield’ program. The German engineering unit, together with soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, is carrying out engineering tasks to strengthen defense infrastructure on NATO’s northeastern flank. This is a response to the changing security environment following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This is what allied cooperation looks like in practice – enhancing military readiness and strengthening NATO’s defense capabilities,” the General Staff wrote in a post on X.
The spokesperson for the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Colonel Marek Pietrzak, also stated that the German soldiers are operating at the invitation of the Polish authorities and are carrying out tasks in the area of responsibility of the 16th Mechanized Division alongside engineering units of the Polish Armed Forces. The work includes expanding defense infrastructure and developing counter-mobility systems and infrastructure resilience.
The statement emphasized that the presence of the German engineering unit is temporary and rotational. The General Staff stressed that the mission is exclusively for engineering training purposes and is non-combat in nature. According to the statement, Bundeswehr soldiers are unarmed, do not conduct operational activities, do not patrol the border, and are not responsible for its protection. “They are also not establishing their own bases or permanent military infrastructure on Polish territory,” the statement added.
“Such Things Are Only Possible Under Tusk.” Reactions Pour In
Donald Tusk also promoted the Polish-German cooperation on X. The prime minister reposted a video published by the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces and added:
“Polish and German soldiers are strengthening the border with Russia together. Such things are only possible under Tusk.”
Germany’s ambassador to Poland, Miguel Berger, quickly responded to Tusk’s post.
“Another example of good and practical cooperation for our common security! Thank you very much!” he wrote.
It is worth recalling that in February, when the Polish Parliament debated the European Union’s SAFE loan facility, Berger closely followed the proceedings and commented on them live on social media.
Another German politician who reacted positively to Tusk’s post was Manuel Schwalm, a leading member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Polish social media users, however, have shown far less enthusiasm, as reflected in the overwhelming majority of comments posted online.