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

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record
2 MIN READ

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low, Losing Area Equal to England

Norwegian Astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen Returns
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen Returns from Historic Space Journey

Iran Doubles Execution Rate in
1 MIN READ

Iran Doubles Execution Rate in Early 2023, Reports Show

Netanyahu Criticized for Firing Shin
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Criticized for Firing Shin Bet Chief Over Testimony Dispute

Death Toll Reaches 60 in
1 MIN READ

Death Toll Reaches 60 in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

NATO Chief Rutte Avoids US
2 MIN READ

NATO Chief Rutte Avoids US Tariff Debate, Focuses on Defense

Rubio: Greenland Seeks Independence from
1 MIN READ

Rubio: Greenland Seeks Independence from Denmark, USA Ready to Partner

Paraglider Crash at Austrian Ski
1 MIN READ

Paraglider Crash at Austrian Ski Resort Injures Two Swedish Women

EU Commits 12 Billion Euros
1 MIN READ

EU Commits 12 Billion Euros to Boost Central Asia Ties

Bomb Explosion at Bolivian Gold
1 MIN READ

Bomb Explosion at Bolivian Gold Mine Kills Five in Cooperative Dispute

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill at Least 30 as Ground Offensive Expands

Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby Declines Police Questioning Over Leak Fears

Trump Reshuffles Intelligence Chiefs After
2 MIN READ

Trump Reshuffles Intelligence Chiefs After Meeting with Activist Loomer

TikTok's Future in the US
3 MIN READ

TikTok's Future in the US Hangs in the Balance as Decision Looms

South Korea's Yoon Ousted After
2 MIN READ

South Korea's Yoon Ousted After Martial Law Controversy

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Ship's Record Cocaine Haul Seized in South Korea

Putin's Envoy Sees Positive Shift
1 MIN READ

Putin's Envoy Sees Positive Shift in US-Russia Relations

Russian Strike in Zelensky's Hometown
2 MIN READ

Russian Strike in Zelensky's Hometown Leaves 14 Dead, Including Children

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

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Frederiksen to USA: Annexation Not an Option, Let's Strengthen Arctic Security

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