Along the Vistula Spit, a narrow stretch of land between Poland and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, the border is hardly noticeable. There are just some broken fences and a few old posts that lean into the Baltic Sea. This area, which is supposed to mark the edge of NATO territory, feels surprisingly unprotected.
Visitors to the border find remnants of drinks, like empty bottles of Russian cognac and vodka, scattered about. It raises concerns among locals about their safety. Krzysztof, a resident from Katowice, expressed his worries, saying, "I don’t see much protection. It’s not good." Another local, Grzegorz, believes there needs to be a show of strength. He thinks Poland should not rely solely on its military but trusts that Europe and America would come to help if needed.
Poland is taking significant steps to boost its defense, planning to spend 4.7% of its GDP on military efforts by 2025, which would make it the highest in NATO. Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposes voluntary military training for men and women of all ages to ensure a capable reserve force in case of conflict.
Additionally, Poland is investing $2.5 billion in stronger border defenses against potential threats from Russia and Belarus. This project, called East Shield, will include anti-tank barriers, bunkers, and possibly land mines. Poland, alongside its Baltic neighbors, is also considering withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which restricts the use of land mines, to keep options open for their defense.
A couple of hours from the Vistula Spit lies the Redowicze military base, a key part of Poland and Europe’s defense strategy. Here, the Aegis Ashore system operates, which, along with a similar site in Romania, forms a crucial part of NATO’s missile defense in Europe. These installations are viewed by Russia as threats, with their foreign ministry labeling them as targets for potential neutralization.
Despite the tension, Captain Michael Dwan, who oversees air and missile defense for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, reassures that the mission remains unchanged. The U.S. commitment to NATO and European defense is strong, and the installations are defensive, not offensive. He emphasizes that modifying the site to host offensive weapons would take significant time and resources.
NATO aims to maintain transparency about its defense systems, knowing that clarity can deter potential adversaries. The organization has no intention of placing armed warheads at these sites, as that would make them prime targets. The focus is on ensuring that adversaries recognize the strength and readiness of NATO forces.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the commitment of the U.S. and NATO to defend Europe remains a critical topic. However, with changes in leadership and policy discussions, uncertainties linger about how these alliances will evolve in the future.