Europe switches to a wartime environment

The announcements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on plans to change the post-war order in Europe mean that the countries of the European Union once again have to grapple with the question of how to defend themselves against aggression and how to help the invaded Ukraine, emphasised the organisers of the Economic Forum in Karpacz in their preview of the plenary debate ‘Peace and quiet is over. Europe and the war in the East'.

Its participants pointed out that in order to defend against the threat from Russia, it is necessary not only to take care of the continent's defence potential, but also to act holistically, despite the ongoing hybrid war.

The Polish example

‘The European Union must take responsibility for the defence industry on its territory, we need to renew production capacity', emphasised Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, during the debate. He said this was the reason why an EU commissioner for defence, and in fact for the defence industry, had been appointed for the first time. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that a dedicated EU fund for the defence industry with a budget of at least EUR 100 billion was also necessary.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Poland is a good example of a serious approach to defence. ‘We have decided that defence spending in Poland should account for 4.7% of the GDP. This is a world record, the highest amount among NATO countries', Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz remarked.

He added that a declaration of at least three 155mm ammunition factories in Poland has also been made. The reconstruction of the arms industry is essential in order not to repeat the mistake of 1939, when Poland had no production capacity, was not modernised, and our alliances failed. Although today we are in a different situation, because NATO is the strongest alliance, we have to invest a lot in our defence capabilities and in the arms industry.

Anatolie Nosatii, Minister of Defence of Moldova, spoke about the importance of the European countries' solidarity with Ukraine, a factor that significantly contributes to regional stability, as Moldova's new national defence strategy for the next few years highlights investment in cyber security, as well as the defence of democratic institutions.

This is linked to the threat of hybrid attacks from Russia, which seeks to reduce Moldova's defence capabilities, as well as to undermine its integration with Europe, such as through attempts to destabilise the country by influencing public opinion and manipulating energy supplies.

Włodzimierz Wlaźlak, president of Lidl Polska, pointed out that the country's defence is not just a military topic – the private sector also has an important function here, as it provides funds for defence by paying taxes fairly. It is also very important to secure the supply of basic foodstuffs.

‘We are fortunate that Poland is a huge producer of high quality food, and we, as a retail chain, are an intermediary between manufacturers and consumers', Włodzimierz Wlaźlak noted. He also recalled that in February 2022, after the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine, food supplies were provided on time.

Business responsibility

Jens-Jakob Gustmann, Zone Leader Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at Philips, spoke about corporate responsibility in supporting war-affected Ukraine, a country where around 700 medical facilities, including hospitals, have been destroyed. He pointed out that as a company that is also active in the medical sector, Philips feels a responsibility to help stabilise healthcare in Ukraine.

As Jens-Jakob Gustmann recalled, the entire company, together with the Philips Foundation, started to help Ukraine very quickly. The company also has business experience in the areas of, for example, crisis medicine and battlefield medicine. It can therefore provide hospitals and outpatient clinics in Ukraine with diagnostic equipment and other medical devices that are suited for harsh conditions – equipment that is mobile, resistant to dust, high temperatures and power cuts. Multifunctionality is also important, as there is often no place for a plethora of equipment in the field.

Philips supplies Ukrainian healthcare with mobile solutions to support the work of hospitals, doctors and nurses.

‘The reconstruction needs of Ukraine are enormous, requiring a holistic approach to medicine’, Jens-Jakob Gustmann pointed out, explaining that, apart from the supply of equipment, the training of medical personnel – conducted partly in Poland – is also badly needed.

‘Supporting Ukraine is also a matter of business responsibility’, concluded Zone Leader CEE at Philips.

Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi, president of the Ukrainian company OpenMinds, which has been fighting against disinformation and the effects of Russia's war propaganda since 2022, emphasised that the war in Ukraine is taking place on several levels. Alongside the visible armed aggression – rocket and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including the recent strike on Lviv which killed seven people, involving three children, no less important is Russia's propaganda offensive, which tries to justify its aggression.

As Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi emphasised, the battle is also being waged for the hearts and minds of societies, so an international alliance in the fight against Russian aggression in this area would also be useful.

‘The threats are severe and they are very close’, emphasised Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, adding that Russia has not changed its strategy and has increasingly less to lose. 'We have to be ready for every possible scenario. This is not scaremongering, this is the necessary social resilience, an absolutely vital element for the defence of the homeland', stressed the Deputy Prime Minister.