Poland’s Deputy Minister for Infrastructure, Piotr Malepszak, has called for the completion of the Rail Baltica high-speed rail (HSR) line to be postponed from 2030 to 2040 and has recommended prioritising infrastructure investments relevant to defence. In his view, opening Rail Baltica in 2030 is unrealistic anyway due to funding shortfalls at European Union (EU) level and sharply rising construction costs. This assessment was previously shared by the European Court of Auditors in a special report on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Malepszak also calls on the EU to lower the specifications for the TEN-T network’s parameters, such as the minimum speed standard of 160 km/h, in order to facilitate the modernisation of existing lines over the construction of new ones. In contrast, the CEO of Rail Baltica Rail, Marko Kivila, stated that the implementation of the initially scaled-back single-track phase by 2030 is achievable, though financing remains a significant risk. By the end of 2025, 43% of the 870 km main line in the Baltic states was either out to tender, ready for construction or already under construction. A modernised Trakiszki – Warsaw link is planned for the Polish section. The new Elk – Trakiszki line was previously scheduled for 2028-2030, whilst the modernisation of the Bialystok – Elk line is likely to be delayed by decisions of the Appeals Chamber and cost at least EUR 164 million (PLN 700 million) more.