Poland’s Minister of National Defense has told a panel discussion that Europe is finally “waking up” to the threat posed by Russia. Delivered during a debate titled ‘Europe in the Age of War’ as part of the ongoing Defence24 Days conference, his comments come as Europe scrambles to face up to an increasingly hostile Kremlin. Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz was asked how self-sufficient he thought the European bloc would be in the event of war. Responding, the Minister of National Defense (and Deputy Prime Minister) said: “After years of lethargy and misunderstanding during the first months of the war, Europe is waking up.”

Speaking to the panel, Kosiniak-Kamysz praised the response of several countries. “The best example is France’s involvement in recent months and the increase in Great Britain’s defense spending,” he said.

Kosiniak-Kamysz also praised the pivot made by Germany with regard to national defense. Continuing, he added that the Polish government had been deeply engaged in swaying European attitudes and credited Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk for leading “a diplomatic offensive” aimed at “powering up” European defense.

The minister also namechecked President Andrzej Duda and the head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, for their ongoing efforts to raise awareness around Europe.

“It all adds up to changing gears,” he concluded. “The EU must prioritize the defense industry way more than it used to.”