LONDON

The British prime minister met Friday with Polish President Andrzej Duda and counterpart Donald Tusk in Warsaw and announced the launch of negotiations on a new treaty on defense and security.

Keir Starmer and Duda reflected on the strength of the relationship between the two countries, agreeing that the countries are the "strongest of allies" and that the partnership will endure for generations.

The leaders welcomed the launch of negotiations on the new UK-Poland Defence and Security Treaty, according to a statement by Starmer's office.

In the face of increasing threats to Europe’s security, Starmer and Duda agreed the treaty would bring the two countries closer to tackle shared threats such as Russia's "aggression" and the smuggling gangs wreaking havoc at their borders.

Starmer also reflected on his visit to Ukraine, and both agreed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can count on the support of the UK and Poland for as long as it takes.

In a separate meeting, Starmer and Tusk had a warm and productive discussion, beginning by reflecting on the Starmer and his wife Victoria's visit to Auschwitz and "how 80 years on from its liberation, the world must never forget the atrocities committed there."

"The UK and Poland are close allies and share an important relationship which the leaders agreed to continue to strengthen to deliver economic growth, security and prosperity for both countries," said another statement by the British government.

The treaty was also praised during the meeting between Starmer and Tusk.

Opening new Joint Programme Office

During a news conference with Tusk, Starmer reiterated the UK's commitment to deepen security collaboration between the two countries.

Recalling launch negotiations on a new UK-Poland Security and Defence Treaty, the British premier said it will cover all aspects of threats they face.

"And the steps we must take to meet them, this includes deepening ties between our defense industries," he noted, mentioning that Britain has secured £8 billion ($9.7 billion) worth of defense deals together over the last three years alone.

He also announced the opening of a new Joint Programme Office in Bristol, South West of England to deliver £4 billion ($4.8 billion) in partnership and to deliver the next-generation air defense system to Poland.

"Through our new treaty, we will keep deepening these ties," added Starmer.

Tusk said Poland and Britain would closely cooperate in supporting Ukraine, sharing tasks and exchanging information.

"We have identical views with Great Britain and the British prime minister on the situation in Ukraine, on Russia's aggression, on what should be done and in what way with regard to support for Ukraine," he noted.

He hailed close and good Polish-British relations and highlighted that both countries trusted each other "in these difficult times of geopolitical uncertainty, radical changes, and the war going on close to our border."