British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Warsaw on Friday to initiate negotiations on a new defense and security treaty with Poland, meeting with both Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.
The planned treaty aims to strengthen military cooperation between the two nations, focusing on countering Russian aggression, disrupting organized crime networks, and securing energy infrastructure. During a joint press conference, both leaders emphasized their shared vision on European security challenges.
"Through our new treaty, we will keep deepening these ties," said Starmer, highlighting that Britain has secured £8 billion worth of defense deals with Poland over the past three years. He also announced the opening of a new Joint Programme Office in Bristol to oversee a £4 billion partnership delivering next-generation air defense systems to Poland.
Prime Minister Tusk stressed the importance of Polish-British relations during these "difficult times of geopolitical uncertainty," particularly regarding support for Ukraine. Both leaders agreed on maintaining steadfast assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The discussions also covered economic cooperation, with plans to increase bilateral trade. Tusk noted that British warplanes would soon play a major role in securing Polish airspace, while both countries pledged to enhance security cooperation in the Baltic and North Seas.
The meeting began with both leaders reflecting on Starmer's visit to Auschwitz, acknowledging the importance of remembering historical atrocities 80 years after the camp's liberation.
Poland, currently holding the rotating EU presidency, has positioned itself as a key NATO ally, spending over 4% of its GDP on defense - the highest proportion among alliance members.