"This presidency will be groundbreaking in many ways," Donald Tusk said in a statement, adding that Poland's task, during a challenging time marked by conflicts, "will be to convince all 27 EU member states that Europe can continue to be the safest, most stable place on Earth."
"Security will be our top priority during the upcoming six months," he said.
He vowed to prioritise implementing a "shared, carefully planned security policy" and ensuring Kyiv receives the support it needs to counter Moscow's invasion.
"This can only be achieved together. Our fundamental goals are tied to the security of our citizens, nations, and the European Union as a whole," Tusk stated.
"This is the kind of security that starts at home for every European and extends to the EU’s external borders," he added.
He announced efforts to strengthen the EU's borders and "counter the instrumentalisation of migration."
Poland on January 1 took over the presidency of the 27-nation bloc for a six-month term, with priorities including security and defence amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, state news agency PAP reported.
(gs)
Source: polish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu, PAP