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Poland is planning military training for every adult male amid growing fears for European security.
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he needed an army of 500,000 soldiers, which would include reservists.
"We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year, so that every adult male in Poland can be trained in case of war, so that this reserve is truly comparable and adequate to potential threats," Tusk said in a speech on security.
Last year, the Polish government said the army included about 200,000 soldiers and would increase to 220,000 this year with the goal of increasing it to about 300,000.
But security fears have grown in recent weeks as Russia continues to strike Ukraine with missiles and drones, and as the Trump administration has withdrawn military and intelligence support for Ukraine while questioning its commitments to NATO.
"Today we are talking about the need for an army of half a million in Poland," Tusk said.
After his speech, Tuska said he was not considering the return of universal military service, but a reserve system based on the Swiss model. In that country, every man is obliged to serve in the army or in an alternative civilian service, while women can volunteer if they wish.
Tusk added that the country should explore nuclear “opportunities.” “We should be aware that Poland should reach for the most modern capabilities, also related to nuclear weapons and modern unconventional weapons,” he said.
The Polish prime minister supported withdrawing from a historic treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines, the Ottawa Convention, as well as potentially from the Dublin Convention, which bans the use of cluster munitions.
At least two other NATO countries, Finland and Lithuania – both bordering Russia – have also considered leaving the Ottawa convention in recent months.
Poland, with a population of 38 million, sits along NATO's eastern flank and is deeply concerned by the war in Ukraine. There are fears that if Ukraine is defeated, Russia will turn its imperial ambitions to countries like Poland, which Moscow controlled during the 19th century and during the Cold War.
Concern has grown in Poland and much of Europe as President Donald Trump has signaled a dramatic shift in the US position to one that includes support for Russia's position - even as he issued a stern warning to Russia on Friday after it attacked Ukrainian energy facilities with dozens of missiles and drones.
"If Ukraine loses the war or if it accepts the terms of peace, ceasefire or capitulation in such a way that weakens its sovereignty and makes it easier for Russian President Vladimir Putin to gain control over Ukraine, then Poland will find itself in a much more difficult geopolitical situation," Tusk said.
Poland already spends a higher percentage of GDP on defense than any other NATO member, including the U.S. Last year, Poland's defense spending reached 4.1% of GDP, according to NATO estimates, and it plans to reach 4.7% this year.
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