Poland declares national strategy to lead CEE, as nation celebrates 1,000th anniversary

Poland has launched a new national doctrine aimed at establishing the country as the dominant military and economic power in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the “Piast Doctrine” during a speech in Gniezno, central Poland. “Maybe today it is worth announcing a new national doctrine, the Piast doctrine, based on strength: independence and affiliation based on strength,” Tusk said, referencing the Piast dynasty that founded Poland.

The strategy comes as the region reshapes its security and development priorities in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, rising global competition and shifting EU dynamics. Poland’s assertive approach reflects growing national confidence and a broader recalibration of alliances within Europe.

Three pillars: defence, economy, politics

The new doctrine has three pillars: building CEE’s strongest army, the strongest regional economy, and securing a robust political position within Europe. It represents a clear shift towards military assertiveness amid growing security concerns in CEE.

Tusk’s announcement comes as fears over regional stability intensify. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has unsettled CEE, while doubts about the US’ commitment to NATO under US President Donald Trump are prompting countries to reconsider defence strategies.

Poland has already expanded its armed forces to over 300,000 personnel and plans to increase that number to 500,000 including reservists. Tusk has also floated the idea of reinstating mandatory military training for adult males, citing Switzerland’s model.

In a further sign of the country’s strategic ambition, Tusk said Poland should “seriously consider” joining NATO’s nuclear sharing programme or, if necessary, acquiring its own nuclear weapons to deter external threats.

Other CEE countries hiking defence spending

Poland is already one of the few EU countries spending 4% of its GDP on defence. Polish President Andrzej Duda recently proposed a constitutional amendment to lock in this spending level, a move that would formalise the national commitment to military readiness.

The Piast Doctrine positions Poland at the forefront of a broader European trend. EU countries have steadily increased defence budgets since 2022, with the Baltic states also planning substantial military investments, as are Germany and France, as EU policymakers push for greater coordination of defence industries.

According to Tusk, Poland’s assertive posture is also intended to benefit its CEE neighbours. “We want to be strong enough that no one can ever threaten Poland again; and strong enough to defend others if necessary,” he said in his speech.

Regional CEE military budgets rise but Poland leads

Poland’s defence spending already far exceeds that of regional peers. According to NATO figures for 2024, Poland spent around 4% of its GDP on defence, compared to Slovakia’s 2%, Czechia’s 1.8%, and Hungary’s 2.4%.

While Hungary has invested in military modernisation, including new German tanks and helicopters, Poland’s overall outlay and manpower expansion have been far more extensive. Poland’s planned armed forces of 500,000 personnel will dwarf those of its neighbours: Czechia has around 28,000 active troops, Slovakia 14,000, and Hungary 36,000.

While defence spending has risen across CEE since Russia launched its full-scale land invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, no other country in the region has set out a doctrine as explicitly geared towards dominance as the Piast Doctrine.

Historic symbolism underpins national strategy

The historic cradle of Polish statehood, Gniezno was a symbolic choice for Tusk’s announcement, as Poland marked the 1,000th anniversary of the coronation of King Boleslaw the Brave. On 18 April 1025, Boleslaw was crowned in Gniezno, formally establishing Poland as a kingdom just weeks before his death. His reign is widely seen as laying the foundations of an independent Polish state.

By delivering the Piast Doctrine in Gniezno, Tusk linked Poland’s ambitions with its earliest assertion of sovereignty. The Piast dynasty, which ruled Poland for nearly four centuries, is remembered for consolidating territories and forging a distinct Polish identity. Tusk’s decision to invoke Boleslaw the Brave underscored the message that Poland must once again rely on its strength to stand firm against external threats while building a prosperous and independent nation at the heart of Europe.