Lessons from Poland: Support that strengthens Europe’s preparedness

At the same time, the response has also strengthened Poland’s role within both the EU and NATO, says Camilla Arvastson, an analyst at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. If international economic support measures have negative consequences for certain groups without these being addressed or compensated for, public support for a war-affected country risks weakening over time, even when there is broad political solidarity and unity. At the same time, EU initiatives and investments in areas including cross-border transport corridors and trade have created new conditions for Poland’s growing role as a link between Ukraine and Europe. “By becoming a hub for logistics, trade, healthcare cooperation and international humanitarian aid, Poland has strengthened its position within both the EU and NATO. Without such a balance, support risks being undermined over time, particularly when the measures form part of broader EU frameworks in which national room for manoeuvre may be limited,” says Camilla. There is also a need to plan in advance for effective cross-border export flows, transit systems and logistics solutions, and to actively cooperate with other EU countries to distribute flows, responsibilities and costs.