Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Warsaw. Tusk emphasized that they share common or even identical views on the situation in Ukraine and said that Poland will try to strengthen ties between Great Britain and the European Union. Starmer announced increased cooperation, including in the field of security.
– I realize that this is my dream, that Brexit will be replaced one day by Brexit, maybe it is an illusion. I try to be realistic, but I prefer to keep such dreams in my heart, because sometimes dreams also come true in politics, said the Polish Prime Minister.
Tusk announced that he had asked the European Council to hold an informal summit with the participation of the Prime Minister Great Britain. – I hope that this will not only be a symbolic reopening, but also a very concrete meeting when it comes to the closest possible cooperation between Great Britain and the European Union – he said.
Donald TuskMarcin Obara/PAP
Tusk praised the “particularly close and good relations” between Poland and Great Britain. He emphasized that both countries trust each other “in these difficult times of geopolitical uncertainty, radical changes, war right next to our border.” He said that this trust is priceless, and the “visible to the naked eye” principles connecting the two countries mean that Poland and Great Britain can count on each other.
Tusk: we have identical views on the situation in Ukraine
– We have identical views on the situation in Great Britain and the Prime Minister personally Ukraineon Russian aggression against Ukraine and identical views on what should be done and how to act when it comes to support for Ukraine, Tusk said. He announced that Poland and Great Britain will cooperate closely on this matter, sharing tasks and information.
Keir Starmer, Donald TuskTVN24
Tusk also emphasized that it is important that he and Prime Minister Starmer are “very determined supporters of the closest possible transatlantic ties.”
Tusk thanked for the involvement of Great Britain and British soldiers in Poland. – Your planes will soon be largely responsible for the safety of our skies – he emphasized. He also pointed out that Poland is building an army that “in the future will allow us to build full security, not only of our country, but also of the entire region.”
Cooperation for security in the Baltic and North Sea
He said that he had talked to the British Prime Minister about cooperation for maritime safety. – We managed to mobilize our Scandinavian partners, Finlandand recently also Germany participated in these conversations for a strengthened presence and action NATONATO infrastructure, NATO ships, when it comes to security in the Baltic Sea – said Tusk.
– We will effectively prevent acts of sabotage and if necessary, we will also act (…) in a very tough manner. And we will also cooperate with Great Britain when it comes to maritime security, not only in the Baltic Sea, but also in the North Sea, Tusk emphasized.
He explained that this included, among others: o the UK's actions to use the latest technology, e.g. artificial intelligence when controlling and monitoring the so-called shadow fleets.
British Prime Minister: Our countries are exceptionally close to each other
– Today our countries are exceptionally close to each other. We have a similar vision of the challenges that lie ahead, Starmer said. He pointed out, among others: on strengthening economic ties between Poland and Great Britain and increasing trade turnover, which currently – as he said – “already reaches 30 billion pounds.”
– We can do more in the case of energy and climate. We also talked about cooperation in the field of migration. We know that Poland is facing gangs and illegal criminal groups that Russia and Belarus they smuggle people illegally, he added.
Keir Starmer and Donald TuskMarcin Obara/PAP
The British Prime Minister also emphasized that cooperation with Poland must also focus on security and defense. – We are great military powers. We, the British, are present on the eastern flank (NATO – ed.). We have made a solid commitment to Ukraine that we will help it, he added.
The British Prime Minister, who is visiting Warsaw on Friday, previously met the president Andrzej Duda.
On Thursday Starmer visited Kiev, where he signed an agreement on a “hundred-year partnership” with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. both countries, regarding, among others, safety and health protection.
Main photo source: Marcin Obara/PAP