Donald Tusk quotes

Donald Tusk is a Polish politician who has played a prominent role in both national and European politics. As Prime Minister of Poland and later President of the European Council, he significantly influenced political developments across Europe. He continues to be an important figure in European affairs and Polish public life. Here are 33 of his quotes:

My Kashubian family, like the Jews, are people who were born and live in border areas and were suspected by the Nazis and by the Communists of being disloyal.

Donald Tusk

Poland is not a very large country, but it's also not a small country.

Donald Tusk

I can confirm that Poland will join the euro zone, and not just because all the treaties are signed, but because I consider it of strategic interest both for Poland and the European Union. But only a fool would believe that the euro could provide a guarantee that a financial crisis would never happen again.

Donald Tusk

We want to understand democracy as an endless discussion, or a constant debate when we choose a path. (...) But when the consensus comes, (...) we work as one body.

Donald Tusk

Europe should be grateful by President Trump, because thanks to him we have got rid of old illusions. He has made us realise that if you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm.

Donald Tusk

Europe is not old, haggard or barren. Europe is young, dynamic and vital. Our continent remains the best place in the world to live.

Donald Tusk

It means that until 12 April, anything is possible: a deal, a long extension if the United Kingdom decided to rethink its strategy, or revoking Article 50, which is a prerogative of the UK government. The fate of Brexit is in the hands of our British friends. As the EU, we are prepared for the worst, but hope for the best. As you know, hope dies last.

Donald Tusk

It will make it more complicated and costly than today for all of us. This is the essence of Brexit.

Donald Tusk

There can be no frictionless trade outside of the customs union and the single market. Friction is an inevitable side-effect of Brexit by nature.

Donald Tusk

No-one will ever tell me that Brexit is a good thing because as I have always said, in fact, Brexit is only about damage control.

Donald Tusk

I still have dreams. Politics without dreams - it would be a nightmare.

Donald Tusk

[I will] not co-operate on [a] no-deal.

Donald Tusk

I may be from the east but I am not a beast.

Donald Tusk

Brexit means drifting apart but we don't want to build a wall.

Donald Tusk

I spent an important part of my life participating in conflicts. But for me, conflict was not the main principle.

Donald Tusk

I got into politics a little bit by chance, as a person from the first generation of the Solidarity movement.

Donald Tusk

Poles must understand history but we must also overcome it if it is obstructing our contemporary goals.

Donald Tusk

Poland is quite a mediocre country in some regards. The only natural resource that we have, and with which we can compete, is freedom.

Donald Tusk

My government is in no sense anti-Russian.

Donald Tusk

For Poland, the United States is the most important ally.

Donald Tusk

If there's one country that can be trusted to understand the complexity of history, it's Israel.

Donald Tusk

My family history, like that of many Polish, German and Jewish families from Central Europe in the 20th century, is complex.

Donald Tusk