PM Tusk Says Poland Will Increase Its Intelligence Budget to Anticipate Russian Threats

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. (Wikimedia Commons/Gov.pl)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday Poland would allocate an additional 100 million zlotys (25.30 million US dollars) to improve its intelligence services, warning of increasing threats from Russia.

Poland says its position as a distribution center for supplies to Ukraine makes it a prime target of Moscow's intelligence agencies, fears that were exacerbated last week when a judge with access to military secrets defected to Russia's ally Belarus.

"I decided to allocate 100 million zlotys from my own reserves, the prime minister's reserves, to strengthen the internal security and intelligence agencies," PM Tusk said at a press conference, reported by Reuters, May 15.

He further said that Russia's efforts to disrupt the stability of European countries, especially Poland and the Baltic countries, would intensify ahead of the European elections in June.

"We have to invest more resources, time and more actions regarding our specific services," he explained.

Regarding a number of large fires in Poland that occurred in the last few days, PM Tusk said there was no indication that they were caused by outside parties.

However, he said the Polish service had prevented a number of sabotage attempts.

"In the last dozen weeks, also thanks to the support of our allies, Poland thwarted attempts to carry out sabotage and arson," he said.

PM Tusk added that Poland would likely get EU funds to help strengthen its border with Belarus.

"Currently, work in Europe regarding methods of obtaining funds, European defense bonds, the EIB (European Investment Bank) and the possible use of funds that will not be used from the national recovery plan (COVID) is being completed," he said.

"There should be no shortage of funds. Poland and the Polish border will be a priority," he stressed.