WARSAW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk underscored on Wednesday the need for a "good peace" in Ukraine, and called for full security guarantees for his country from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Warsaw, Tusk said that peace in Ukraine must come with full guarantees of its sovereignty, as "only a just peace will give all of us a sense of security."
The prime minister highlighted the strategic importance of the "East Shield" military program, which has been recognized as a priority in European defense initiatives.
Tusk also stressed Poland's key role in NATO, calling for full security guarantees for his country. "Let me be frank -- who deserves full support and full guarantees from NATO more than Poland?" he asked.
Rutte commended Poland's substantial defense spending and active role in supporting Ukraine against Russia.
"If anyone miscalculates, thinking they can attack Poland or any other NATO ally without consequences, our Alliance will respond with full force. Our reaction will be devastating," Rutte said.
According to the Polish government, the "East Shield" program which includes fortifications, various types of barriers, and modern airspace monitoring systems at every level, will be completed by 2028. The estimated cost is approximately 10 billion zloty (2.58 billion U.S. dollars). ■