By Moaz Nasir TWA _____ Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stark warning, stating that Europe is on the brink of a "pre-war era," highlighting the imminent threat from Russia. In a recent interview with a German publication, Tusk emphasized that the notion of war is not relegated to history; rather, it is a present reality that began over two years ago. He expressed concern over the unpredictability of the current situation, which has not been witnessed since the end of World War II. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has highlighted that without presenting any proof, President Putin is already attributing the planning of this assault to Ukraine. Tusk suggests that this accusation seems to be an attempt by Putin to rationalize the escalating severity of assaults on civilian areas within Ukraine. Tusk remarked, "We are entering a new phase, one that is reminiscent of the period before a war. This is not an overstatement; the signs are becoming increasingly evident with each passing day." The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has raised alarms across Europe, with leaders and military officials fearing the conflict's potential to extend beyond Ukraine's borders. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's assurances to the contrary, the war has disrupted the post-Cold War geopolitical landscape, compelling Europe to reevaluate its defense strategies after years of reduced military spending. The recent NATO membership of Sweden and Finland marks a significant shift for the traditionally neutral nations. The Baltic states, Estonia and Lithuania, have significantly increased their defense budgets, surpassing NATO's 2% GDP benchmark. Moldova, sharing a border with Ukraine, is rapidly progressing towards European Union membership due to its susceptibility to Russian influence. The collaborative efforts of France, Germany, and Poland, known as the "Weimar Triangle," are at the forefront of Europe's defense initiatives against Russian hostility. The leaders of these nations met in Berlin on March 15, 2024, to discuss further measures. Following his electoral victory last year, Tusk has been actively working to realign Poland with the broader European community after a period of isolationist governance by the Law and Justice Party. Recognizing the strategic importance of its location, Poland has allocated over 4% of its GDP to military spending, twice the amount recommended by NATO. The country has also provided refuge to millions of Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion. Recently, Poland reported a Russian missile, intended for Ukraine, violating its airspace, an incident that has occurred multiple times throughout the ongoing conflict. Despite Europe's concerted efforts to strengthen its defenses, Tusk believes there is still considerable progress to be made. He advocates for a Europe that is self-reliant in defense while maintaining a robust alliance with the United States. Amidst unwavering support from US President Joe Biden for Ukraine, Tusk highlighted the contrasting stance of former President Donald Trump, who suggested a hands-off approach to NATO members not meeting defense spending targets if he were to be re-elected. Tusk underscored the importance of fostering transatlantic relations, irrespective of the US presidency. He also cautioned against Russian President Putin's potential exploitation of the recent terrorist attack in Moscow's Crocus City Hall to intensify the conflict in Ukraine, drawing parallels to past incidents where Putin capitalized on such events for strategic gains.