The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, during his visit to Warsaw, engaged in high-profile discussions with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, including calls for closer UK-EU ties post-Brexit. Tusk, who served as European Council president during the Brexit referendum, expressed hopes for a “Breturn,” symbolizing a reversal of the UK’s departure from the EU.
- More News from Poland on our Homepage.
- Sign up to our Newsletter
At a joint press conference, Tusk reflected on his emotional reaction to the 2016 referendum, stating, “I already miss you,” and admitted to harboring dreams of the UK rejoining the EU. Starmer, however, reaffirmed his commitment to deeper collaboration with Brussels while ruling out rejoining the customs union or single market.
Defense Cooperation and Ukraine Support
The visit underscored a burgeoning defense relationship, with the UK and Poland announcing plans for a new bilateral defense pact. Starmer highlighted the UK’s £8 billion in defense deals with Poland over the last three years and unveiled a new £4 billion partnership to develop next-generation air defense systems. “We share an unbreakable commitment to NATO and Ukraine,” he stated, emphasizing the shared goal of countering Russian aggression and addressing people-smuggling networks.
Starmer’s agenda also included a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, where they reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. A Downing Street spokesperson described discussions as “warm and productive,” touching on energy, migration, and security concerns.
Reflecting on History
The UK Prime Minister and his wife, Victoria, visited the Auschwitz concentration camp earlier in the trip. Describing the experience as “utterly harrowing,” Starmer reiterated his resolve to combat antisemitism and hatred. “The truth that I have seen here today will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
Starmer’s visit follows his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, where he vowed to help guarantee Ukraine’s security in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.
A Post-Brexit Vision
While Tusk’s dream of a “Breturn” remains aspirational, the visit reflected mutual efforts to rebuild ties and ensure stability in Europe. By focusing on defense, security, and European cooperation, Starmer aims to solidify the UK’s role as a reliable ally in a post-Brexit world.
Support Poland 24
Poland 24 is an independent publication dedicated to providing accurate, insightful, and timely news from Poland. In an era where reliable journalism is more important than ever, we take pride in delivering content that keeps you informed about the latest developments in politics, culture, and society in Poland. However, as an independent outlet, we rely on the support of our readers to continue operating without the influence of corporate sponsors or political agendas. Your donations are crucial to help us maintain the quality of our reporting, covering both major headlines and the stories that often go untold by mainstream media.
By supporting Poland 24, you are not only helping us sustain our website, but you are also contributing to the creation of more diverse, in-depth content. Every donation, big or small, allows us to invest in better resources, hire experienced journalists, and cover a wider range of topics with the detail and attention they deserve. If you value independent journalism and want to see more high-quality content about Poland, please consider donating today. Your support truly makes a difference in our ability to continue bringing important news to the public.
