Macron, Tusk sign France-Poland treaty with mutual defence clause: AFP

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands after signing a treaty of friendship and enhanced cooperation between the two countries at the town hall in Nancy, eastern France on May 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP

France and Poland on Friday (May 9, 2025) signed a new cooperation and friendship treaty with a defence clause committing the parties to mutual support in case of an attack by an aggressor, as the two North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) allies strengthen ties following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The treaty, similar to those already signed by France with Germany, Italy and Spain, was signed in the eastern French city of Nancy by French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Mr. Macron emphasised that one of the key aspects of the treaty was a clause on “mutual defence” while insisting this was in addition to the protections already offered by NATO and the EU.

“It does not substitute for NATO or EU,” Macron said alongside Tusk, adding it: “reinforces what already exists today.”

Mr. Tusk earlier hailed the “mutual security guarantees” saying the clause tackles what happens “in the case of an attack against one of our countries”.

The text of the treaty, seen by AFP, states: “In the event of armed aggression on their territories, the parties shall provide mutual assistance, including by military means.”