Donald Tusk: ” It depends on us whether the new chapter for Poland in Europe will be happy or gloomy.”

Donald Tusk was the first speaker on the second day of the Freedom Games. His speeche was very much awaited – already 20 minutes after the registration was opened, the Machine Hall filled to the brim.

The President of the European Council began his statement from the gratitude addressed to the gathered – he felt moved by enthusiastic reception. He was glad that he could meet at this event with the Poles on the eve of the anniversary of Poland’s independence. This is an important time not only because of the anniversary of the events of 1918, but also because of the events that Donald Tusk stores in his own memory – exactly 40 years ago he participated in the illegal manifestation at the monument to Jan III Sobieski in Gdańsk. Two weeks later he got married to his wife today.

In his speech, Tusk stressed the parallel nature of events: those from 1918 and those from 1988. He compared them to the present political situation of Poland and Europe. He mentioned several factors that helped us achieve independence after the First World War: the Poles had common political goals, outstanding command (he mentioned the names of eminent citizens: Daszyński, Dmowski, Korfanty, Witos, but most emphasized the importance of Józef Piłsudski’s actions), effective, active diplomacy and happiness in the area of ​​geopolitics. Poles were also ready to bear sacrifices. He compared these factors to the situation from 30 years ago. At the time, we had great leadership, with Wałęsa – the “father of Polish freedom” at the forefront, effective diplomacy, led by John Paul II, Jerzy Giedroyc and Zbigniew Brzezinski, and geopolitical happiness – the then block of communist states was falling apart. According to Donald Tusk, the circumstances of those times were used one hundred percent. He warned, however, that this was not the end of our struggle: independence is equally difficult to obtain and to maintain. We must look after the happiness that has happened to us. He advised us to use our presence in the EU and in the North Atlantic Treaty for this purpose.

Tusk talked about the fact that currently there is a large imbalance in the geopolitical area of ​​the world: China and the USA are great powers and the future of Poland and Europe depends on their decisions and actions. He also regretted the fact that today’s President of the United States is not enthusiastic about integration with the European Union. A difficult situation for Europe also occurs in the east, where Russia has completed an act of aggression against Ukraine, as well as in the Union itself, because it has internal conflicts. The threat is recognized by Donald also in the growth of nationalistic moods in many EU countries. All this poses a hazard to independence also in Poland.

The President of the European Council appealed to the Poles: it depends on us whether politicians will lead to the breakup of the European Union and the exit of Poland from the EU. He warned against the fact that a drama could happen before our eyes. He reminded that in a few months, in May, elections to the European Parliament will take place – he asked for the mobilization of citizens. It depends on us whether the new chapter for Poland in Europe will be happy or gloomy.

Donald Tusk stressed that independence means freedom – the fullness of rights and freedoms. Therefore, acting on its behalf is extremely important. He appealed to establish a community of goals, as we did in 1918 and in 1988. He argued that action is meaningful and, as in the past, impossible can become possible. He added with a sneer that such action should also include vaccination of children. He mentioned that situations from the history of Poland were more difficult than today’s, and if we were able to win against the Bolsheviks, we would be able to overcome the struggle against the “modern Bolsheviks” this time.

At the end of the meeting, after the storm of applause, all gathered in the hall together sang the Polish national anthem.

Ewa Krawczyk