Britain and Poland to Sign Major Defense and Security Treaty

Britain will sign a new defense and security treaty with Poland on Wednesday to strengthen military cooperation in the face of growing hostile threats across Europe, the UK government said.

The deal is due to be signed in London when Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The government said it would improve border security, help tackle organized crime and deepen defense cooperation with the European Union.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss what Britain described as a sharp rise in hybrid attacks, including Russian-ordered arson attacks in east London and across Europe, as well as cyberattacks and espionage.

Although Britain and Poland are already close allies, Starmer said the treaty marked “the biggest step forward in our defense and security relationship with Poland in a generation”.

The agreement comes as European governments face pressure from US President Donald Trump’s administration to take greater responsibility for their own defense.

Tusk told a Polish government meeting on Tuesday that the signing of the treaty would be a “historic moment”.

Poland signed a defense treaty with France in 2025 and is working on a similar agreement with Germany as European partnerships take on greater importance for Warsaw.

Tusk said a significant part of the treaty also focused on cybersecurity. Poland says its role as a hub for military aid to Ukraine has made it a key target for Russian espionage, cyberattacks and disinformation.

On defense, the British government said the agreement would seek to combine expertise and industrial capability to lead the development of complex weapons, including sophisticated munitions and the co-production of a medium-range air defense missile.

(reuters, max)