ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday signed a new strategic partnership treaty in the French city of Nancy, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, and industrial sovereignty.

Describing the Franco-Polish friendship as an "alliance of the heart," Macron said the treaty marks a turning point in relations between the two countries and reflects a shared commitment to a stronger, more sovereign Europe.

"We are building an irreversible solidarity based on trust forged through crises, especially over recent years," Macron said during a joint press conference with Tusk following the signing ceremony.

The treaty includes a mutual defense and assistance clause that reinforces commitments under NATO and the EU, while also calling for strengthened European strategic autonomy.

Macron said the agreement will help accelerate joint investments in the European defense industrial base, including in the production of weapons and ammunition.

"We want to build a truly integrated defense partnership," he said.

"This does not replace NATO or the European Union, it strengthens them," he added.

He also defended the need for a European defense pillar within NATO, emphasizing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security in a context of uncertain US engagement.

"We hope the United States remains engaged," Macron said, adding that "but we must strengthen ourselves to be less dependent on the unpredictability of others’ decisions."

On Ukraine, he called for a 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward a lasting peace, stressing that any agreement must include guarantees to prevent Russia from resuming "aggression."

"President Zelensky has already accepted it unconditionally, even though he is the one under attack. We hope Russia will do the same," he said.

For his part, Tusk said that Europe must be prepared to defend itself and deepen intra-European defense cooperation, emphasizing that France will be a key partner in strengthening Poland’s military capabilities.

Tusk underlined that Poland, already host to one of the EU’s largest armies, is committed to building the continent’s strongest defense force — not as an alternative to NATO, but as a complement to the transatlantic alliance.

"We attach great importance to our alliance with the United States," he said.

"But wherever possible, we will strengthen European defense capabilities through joint procurement and industrial cooperation, and France will be our leading partner," he added.

He also announced plans for joint defense initiatives, including coordinated purchases and deeper collaboration between defense industries.

He confirmed that joint military exercises between France and Poland are under consideration, and said both countries would take seriously the mutual defense guarantees outlined in the treaty.