Tusk at Warsaw Security Forum: Ukraine fights for survival, Russia for domination

Why it matters

Poland's prime minister publicly reaffirmed unconditional support for Ukraine at a major regional security conference and framed the war as a contest between Russian domination and Ukrainian survival. He also signalled that Poland and NATO are actively preparing for multiple escalation scenarios, and confirmed direct contact with NATO's European commander on those scenarios and on Russian intentions.

What happened

The Warsaw Security Forum, an annual conference organized by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation since November 2014, convened in Warsaw on Monday, 12 October. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took part in the opening session and used it to set out a stark framing of the Russia–Ukraine war: Ukraine, he said, is fighting for survival, while Russia is fighting for domination. He pledged that Poland "cannot and will not" send any signal of yielding to a policy of intimidation and discouragement aimed at Western support for Kyiv, and warned that anyone who, for "betrayal, stupidity, or money," wants to weaken Ukraine's defence is acting against their own nation.

Tusk said he had spoken with NATO's Commander in Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, and reported that Poland and NATO are preparing for various scenarios, including through investments in defence. He said Grynkewich's determination and level of preparedness give him optimism, and that the general has no illusions about Russia's intentions. Tusk accused the Kremlin of seeking to dismantle Europe's existing security architecture so that Russian domination returns to the state that existed before 1989, and warned that Russia seeks to dominate Ukraine and will not stop there. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and General Grynkewich, who was to present his "victory strategy" in the afternoon, were also scheduled to take part in the conference.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian-language coverage headlines the NATO-scenario angle, leading with Tusk's statement that Poland and NATO are preparing for various scenarios, including through defence investments. The Ukrainian framing treats Tusk's remarks as a warning about a possible Russian attack on NATO territory, emphasising the preparations described after his conversation with NATO's European commander.

How international sources describe it

Polish-language coverage leads with Tusk's broader framing that Ukraine fights for survival while Russia fights for domination, and emphasises his pledge that Poland "cannot and will not" signal yielding to intimidation of Western support for Kyiv.

Background

The Warsaw Security Forum has been held annually since November 2014 and is organized by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. The 12 October 2026 edition brought together Polish, Ukrainian and NATO figures; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO's European commander General Alexus Grynkewich were scheduled to take part, with Grynkewich to present a "victory strategy" in the afternoon.