Russia in focus as Poland takes over the Council Presidency

Security, security and again security. When Poland becomes the EU presidency, the focus is clearly directed towards Russia. And Prime Minister Donald Tusk steps forward as one of the continent's most influential leaders.

» Published: December 31 2024

Russia in focus as Poland takes over the Council Presidency
Photo: Olivier Matthys/AP/TT

Donald Tusk and Donald Trump were in the spotlight as early as 2017, when one was the EU Council President and the other the President of the USA.

Now, the same gentlemen are once again highly topical. On January 20, Trump will be sworn in as President of the White House. And from Wednesday, Tusk will be a central figure, as his Poland takes over the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.

Given the focus will be on Russia's war in Ukraine, not least considering Trump has promised a quick end to the war – something many fear will in practice mean an end to American support for the ruling powers in Kyiv.

All is Security

For Poland, the war is highly tangible. Millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge in the country, and both Russian and Ukrainian rockets have fallen on Polish soil. Russia and Belarus have also exerted pressure with a completely different kind of weapon, by luring migrants from Africa and Asia who are then pushed towards the Polish border.

All of this has contributed to Poland formally declaring security in seven different areas as key words for its presidency.

It primarily concerns external security – border protection and defense – but also security for the economy, energy, health, and food. Migration policy is referred to as internal security, while the environment falls under the concept of civil security.

Can he handle Trump?

Prime Minister Donald Tusk is one of Europe's most experienced leaders, with significant influence among EU conservative leaders.

He is seen as strongly pro-EU – but has not shied away from standing up for a more conservative view on both migration and agricultural policy.

The 67-year-old carpenter's son from Gdansk will also be particularly weighty at the moment – given the leadership vacuum caused by the political disagreement in both Germany and France.

Poland is now being treated as an authority when it comes to Ukraine and Russia, with our experience and our history, notes Tusk ahead of the presidency.

Even in relation to the USA, Tusk has a strong position, not least since Poland has emerged as the NATO country that will clearly spend the most on its defense: up to 4.7 percent of GDP by 2025.

"Poland has done its homework on issues that Trump cares about. One Donald may very well receive another with open arms," writes Marta Prochwicz Jazowska from the think tank ECFR in an analysis.

The presidency of the EU Council of Ministers usually involves a lot of negotiations to reconcile different countries' opinions on various legislative proposals. Since the new EU Commission has just taken office, there are not many proposals to handle at the moment.

Poland will still inherit, among other things, the attempts to agree on new driver's license regulations – which for Sweden's part is mostly interesting when it comes to the future of A-traktors – as well as EU support for the defense industry (abbreviated Edip).

Poland also hopes to open the first real negotiations with Ukraine on future EU membership during the spring. Greater emphasis will also be placed on increased sanctions against Russia.

Here are some key dates during Poland's presidency of the EU Council of Ministers:

9–10 January: EU Commission on site in Warsaw

3 February: Informal EU summit in Belgium

23 February: Federal elections in Germany

20–21 March: Ordinary EU summit in Brussels

2–3 April: Informal EU foreign ministers' meeting in Warsaw

4 May (preliminary): Presidential election in Poland

7–8 May: Informal EU defense ministers' meeting in Warsaw

16 May: Summit within the European Political Community (EPC) in Albania

24–26 June: NATO countries hold summit in The Hague

26–27 June: Ordinary EU summit in Brussels

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Strikes on Ukraine Leave 3 Dead, 32 Injured

Israel Updates Music Festival Death
2 MIN READ

Israel Updates Music Festival Death Toll to 378 After Investigation

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane
1 MIN READ

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane Crash Near Bergen Lake

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal
1 MIN READ

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal App for Discussing Yemen Attack Plans

Seoul Braces for Verdict as
3 MIN READ

Seoul Braces for Verdict as South Korea Awaits Yoon's Fate

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises as Aid Efforts Intensify

Trump Fires Key Security Officials
2 MIN READ

Trump Fires Key Security Officials After Oval Office Meeting

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles
1 MIN READ

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles to EU Parliament Seeking Support

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988
1 MIN READ

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988 Executions Dies at 70

UN Alarmed by Reports of
1 MIN READ

UN Alarmed by Reports of Civilian Executions in Sudan

Mother and Daughter Found Shot
1 MIN READ

Mother and Daughter Found Shot Dead in Norway; Suspect Also Dead

Elon Musk to Stay as
1 MIN READ

Elon Musk to Stay as Advisor to Trump, Confirms JD Vance

Israeli Legal Experts Call for
1 MIN READ

Israeli Legal Experts Call for War Crimes Probe into Gaza Attack

EU Parliament Approves Delay in
1 MIN READ

EU Parliament Approves Delay in Key Sustainability Rules

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty
2 MIN READ

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty in Talks with US

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination
1 MIN READ

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination Concerns in India

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting
1 MIN READ

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting in Gaza Strip

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives
1 MIN READ

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives as Recovery Efforts Continue

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2
1 MIN READ

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2 Cruise, Over 240 Passengers Affected

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to
3 MIN READ

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to NATO, Calls for Increased Defense Spending

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold
1 MIN READ

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold Passes Away

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package
1 MIN READ

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package to Ukraine

Russia Not on US Tariff
2 MIN READ

Russia Not on US Tariff List Despite Broad Global Reach

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women
1 MIN READ

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women and Newborns, Says Save the Children

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink
1 MIN READ

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink Near Greece and Turkey, 16 Migrants Dead

Search for Missing MH370 Paused
1 MIN READ

Search for Missing MH370 Paused Until Year-End, Says Malaysia

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze
1 MIN READ

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze in Rome; Italy Boosts Security Measures

UN Envoy Urges Israel to
2 MIN READ

UN Envoy Urges Israel to Halt Strikes in Southern Syria

US Calls for UN Official's
1 MIN READ

US Calls for UN Official's Removal Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Views

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US Officials in Washington for Talks

31 Killed in Israeli Air
1 MIN READ

31 Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Gaza School Shelter

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks
3 MIN READ

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks ICC Withdrawal Decision

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350
1 MIN READ

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350 Bears After Fatal Attack

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Israeli Air Strikes in Syria Leave Four Dead, Hit Military Sites

Mike Waltz's Extensive Use of
1 MIN READ

Mike Waltz's Extensive Use of Signal Raises Security Concerns

Frederiksen Pledges Support for Greenland
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Pledges Support for Greenland During Challenging Times

Elon Musk Expected to Exit
2 MIN READ

Elon Musk Expected to Exit White House Role Soon, Sources Say

NATO Faces Silence on Turkey's
2 MIN READ

NATO Faces Silence on Turkey's Journalist Arrest Before Key Meeting

Federal Court Dismisses Corruption Charges
1 MIN READ

Federal Court Dismisses Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams

Congo President Commutes Death Sentences
1 MIN READ

Congo President Commutes Death Sentences for Americans in Coup Plot