Poland Takes Over EU Council Presidency With Focus On Security

Poland launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union on Jan 3, mired in a diplomatic row with Hungary that underscored a deepening sense of political disunity across Europe just as it confronts a raft of major global challenges.

Saddled with a sluggish economy, the EU is bracing itself for the return of Donald Trump to the White House on Jan 20 on an "America First" platform and the possible imposition of US tariffs on European exports.

It also faces deteriorating trade relations with China and Russia's grinding war in Ukraine, all at a time when the EU's two leading powers, France and Germany, are distracted by domestic political upheaval.

Against this gloomy backdrop, Poland is seeking a leading role in shaping European policy, especially on security.

"If Europe is powerless, it will not survive... Let's do everything so that Europe and Poland do not have to pay the highest price for freedom, for strength, for sovereignty. Let's do everything to make Europe strong again," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a gala in Warsaw.

He was joined by the president of the European Council, Mr Antonio Costa, who stressed the importance of continued support for Kyiv.

"This year, we must continue to stand with Ukraine - as much as necessary, for as long as it takes, to win a comprehensive, just and lasting peace," Mr Costa said.