Speaking in parliament, he said the training model should be ready by the end of the year.
Discussing Poland's defense capabilities, Tusk compared the Polish army's current strength to those of Ukraine and Russia.
He said that Ukraine has around 800,000 troops, while Russia has 1.3 million.
"Today, we are talking about the need for Poland to have a 500,000-strong army, including reservists," Tusk said.
The prime minister emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach to military preparedness, which would include reservists and intensive training for civilians who do not serve in the armed forces, state news agency PAP reported.
He indicated that women may also be included in the program but acknowledged that warfare remains predominantly a male domain.
"We will strive to have a model ready by the end of the year so that every adult man in Poland is trained for potential conflict," he said.
'We must use every available means to strengthen our defenses'
Tusk also told lawmakers that he would recommend Poland withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines, and possibly from the Dublin Convention, which regulates the use of cluster munitions.
"There were many arguments for banning this terrible weapon, but we are in a situation where we must use every available means to strengthen our defenses," he said.
He added that neighboring countries Poland and others might consider a threat already possess such weaponry.
Tusk also revealed that Poland is engaged in serious discussions with France about its proposal for a nuclear umbrella over Europe.
'Race for security'
He said that Poland must take an "unflinching" look at its ability to acquire the most advanced weapons, describing the coming period as "a race for security, not a race to war."
The prime minister's address to parliament also covered the outcomes of a crucial EU summit on Thursday, which focused on strengthening Europe's defense capabilities.
The gathering approved a EUR 150 billion loan package and increased military spending outside the European Union’s standard budgetary constraints.
Tusk said that a major shift in EU policy is that European funds will now be directly allocated to military capabilities.
He compared the new loan instrument to the EU’s pandemic recovery fund, saying that this new initiative is "1.5 times larger."
The plan also includes the possibility of redirecting regional development funds toward defense, though final decisions on this matter will be made by national governments.
"We will decide to reallocate resources from projects that are not deemed essential by the government or local authorities," he said.
He also told MPs that EU leaders had designated the "Eastern Shield" — a set of defense projects along NATO’s eastern flank, including the Baltic states — as a priority.
According to Tusk, this decision means increased funding for installations and defense initiatives along Poland's border with Russia and Belarus.
European 'arms bank'
Additionally, Poland has proposed the creation of a European "arms bank" modeled on the European Investment Bank, but focused solely on defense.
"It is too early to say whether our partners will agree, but they now have something to consider," Tusk remarked.
The prime minister repeatedly referred to the situation in Ukraine, warning that the country’s prospects for a favorable outcome in its war against Russia have diminished following changes in the US administration.
"The hope that Ukraine will soon receive solid security guarantees, including a physical US presence to support those guarantees, seems less likely than before," he said.
'Deep shift' in US policy
He cautioned against the illusion that either the United States or Russia is eager to see Europe play a role in negotiations over Ukraine’s future.
However, he insisted that Europe must continue to engage Washington on the importance of its involvement.
Despite what he described as a "deep shift" in US policy toward Ukraine, Tusk warned against reacting emotionally.
"Our task is not to criticize our strongest ally for the sake of rhetoric but to draw practical conclusions for our own security," he said.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP