Polish officials have clashed over the transparency of a new security and defense partnership treaty signed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Keir Starmer in London last Wednesday.
The Security Partnership
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a treaty on security and defense partnership in London on May 27. The agreement covers cooperation in combating hybrid threats, disinformation, and illegal migration, alongside advancements in defense, the arms industry, cybersecurity, and maritime, energy, and health security.
Presidential Office Grievances
President Karol Nawrocki stated that the Presidential Office should have been informed of such commitments before they were made in the name of the Polish people. Marcin Przydacz, head of the Presidential International Policy Bureau, noted that the text of the treaty arrived at the office only one day before the signing.
Przydacz claimed that while the government conducted negotiations throughout 2025, the office remained in contact with the British side for updates. Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz confirmed that the government failed to inform the President, as Commander-in-Chief, of the treaty’s content in advance.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Response
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór rejected these claims, stating that the Ministry kept the Presidential Office informed throughout the process and responded to all requests for information. He detailed that in-depth briefings were provided prior to the President’s London visit in January, followed by an expert-level meeting in March.
Wewiór concluded that when the Council of Ministers approved the treaty on Tuesday, the text was shared with the Presidential Office simultaneously. Given the history of prior meetings and explanations, he argued that the final content should not have come as a surprise.