Poland and France sign a “revolutionary” treaty, including mutual security guarantees

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Poland and France have signed a new treaty to improve relations between the two allies, in particular by providing guarantees of mutual security in the event of war.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who signed the document alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, described the treaty as “revolutionary”, noting that only Germany has a similar security pact with France and that it makes Poland an “equal partner” with its Western allies.

Macron, on the other hand, said that the Treaty “opens a new era” not only for Poland and France, but also for Europe. “From Brest to Krakow, Europe is held together,” said the French president.

The Friday afternoon ceremony took place in the French oriental city of Nancy – a highly symbolic choice, because the region was governed in the 18th century by the fallen Polish King Stanisław I, who became Duke of Lorraine. The town hall in which the signature took place is on Stanisław Square (Place Stanislas).

Speaking later, Tusk thanked Macron for having “decided that this meeting would take place in the most Polish city in France”.

He also noted that they had deliberately chosen to sign the document on May 9, which marks the day of Europe – the anniversary of the Schuman declaration which paved the way to the EU – and one day after the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

All the details of the treaty are not yet available, but earlier Friday, before leaving for France, Tusk revealed that its most important element is “a mutual support clause in the event of an attack on one of our countries”.

“It is with great satisfaction that I can say that – unlike the past, when we expected security guarantees from stronger countries – today, we are talking to the French as partners, as an equal and strong partner,” he added. “Poland is now in a much better position than at any other moment in history.”

There have been suggestions in recent months that France could extend its “nuclear umbrella” to protect the allies, including Poland. Tusk noted on Friday morning that the new treaty “would open up the possibility of cooperation” in this area, but that other talks should take place.

Meanwhile, the treaty “would also deepen cooperation in the field of agriculture, the joint presence of Poland and France in space … (and) defense technologies,” added the Polish Prime Minister. He and Macron also mentioned cooperation in the development of civilian nuclear technologies.

The news of the planned treaty was announced earlier this year, with the French ambassador to Poland, Étienne de Poncins, saying that he would put Poland at the same level of “premium” relations with Paris as Germany, Spain and Italy.

The ambassador paid tribute to the strengthening of Franco-Polish relations under the government of Tusk, claiming that they had gone from “darkness to light” since the departure in December 2023 of the National Administration of Law and Justice (PIS). IPs regularly come up against European partners, including France.

On Wednesday this week, Tusk also welcomed Friedrich Merz in Warsaw on the first full day of the new German Chancellor. The Polish Prime Minister said that “the future of Europe really depends to a large extent how this Weimar triangle (in Poland, France and Germany) will work”.

Tusk has also noted today that Poland is currently negotiating with the United Kingdom to strengthen security cooperation. “America will no longer be the only protective umbrella. Europe must take responsibility for itself,” said Tusk RZECZPOSPOLITA Daily, but stressing that relations with Washington remain vital.

The notes of Poland are managed by a small editorial team and published by an independent non -profit foundation funded by donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.

Main image credit: Kancelaria Premiera / Flickr (Sous CC by-NC-ND 2.0)

Daniel Tilles is editor -in -chief of Poland notes. He wrote on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, especially Foreign policy,, Politico Europe,, EOobServer And Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.