After assuming the presidency of the European Union, Poland succeeded in awakening EU countries from the lethargy caused by years of prosperity and peace. After 1999, when the Soviet Union collapsed, it was expected that Europe’s and the world’s development would move toward stability and happiness. Unfortunately, reality has shown that global threats persist. Aggressive rhetoric from Putin has led to actions in Georgia, Ukraine, and other regions—including Africa. Russia is strengthening its forces and rhetoric, and Europe must defend itself quickly and effectively. An example of growing threats is the recent blackout in Spain and Portugal, caused by excess power from France.
“Critical infrastructure is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, failures, or technical damage. Cyberspace knows no borders, and threats there can spread globally,” said General Mieczysław Bieniek, advisor to the Minister of National Defense for Security and Strategy and former NATO deputy commander, in an interview with eNewsroom.pl. “That is why Europe is investing in protections, creating special commands monitoring the Baltic Sea from sea and air to prevent the cutting of submarine cables or attacks on drilling platforms. Simultaneously, on the EU’s and NATO’s eastern flank, we are building a collective security system—the Eastern Shield—which we treat as our shared responsibility, not just Poland’s. This initiative unites Baltic countries and benefits from EU funds that also support infrastructure development in Podlasie and Lublin regions. Thanks to this, the defensive and economic potential of the region is growing. Currently, the state budget for this year is 169 billion zlotys. Thoughtful, long-term expenditures are essential. If we do not allocate these funds rationally, neither society nor history will forgive us,” concluded General Mieczysław Bieniek.
