“The government did not inform the President of the Republic of Poland, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in advance about the contents of the Security and Defence Partnership Treaty negotiated and signed yesterday by the prime ministers of Poland and the United Kingdom. Donald Tusk did this solely to launch a manipulative narrative today, casting doubt on whether the President would sign the law ratifying the agreement,” this is how presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz commented on Donald Tusk’s attack against President Karol Nawrocki.
On Wednesday, the prime ministers of Poland and the United Kingdom, Donald Tusk and Keir Starmer, signed a security and defence partnership treaty in London. A similar treaty on enhanced cooperation and friendship was signed by Poland and France last year in Nancy.
Even before the treaty was signed, Marcin Przydacz, head of the Bureau of International Policy, stated that the government had not consulted the presidential office on the matter.
President: I will do everything that serves Poland’s security
President Karol Nawrocki, currently on a visit to Switzerland, was asked about the issue today. He admitted that he had learned about the treaty from public reports.
“As far as the Polish-British agreement is concerned, yesterday I obtained information about it exclusively from public sources, despite being the President of Poland. However, thanks to the great courtesy and professionalism of one of the deputy ministers, we did receive information yesterday regarding the signing of the Polish-British document on this cooperation,”
the president said.
He added: “Of course, I will not say what I intend to do with it, because I first need to examine these matters thoroughly. But I believe that before signing obligations on behalf of the Polish nation, the Presidential Chancellery and the president should be informed that such arrangements are being prepared.”
In conclusion, he stated: “I will, of course, look into it carefully and do everything good for Poland’s security and for cooperation with our allies.”
Tusk attacks
Donald Tusk subsequently attacked the president.
Speaking to TVN24 today, Tusk claimed that voices coming from the Presidential Chancellery were “questioning the purpose of the manner in which the Polish-British treaty is being processed.” He added:
“I find it hard to believe that anyone could come up with such a dangerous and foolish idea as blocking, for example, through the president withholding his signature on a treaty that simply strengthens Poland’s security, as well as Britain’s security, but above all Poland’s security.”
“That would become a series of events the president himself would probably deeply regret,” he added.
Leśkiewicz: Political pettiness
Tusk’s remarks prompted a response from presidential spokesperson Dr Rafał Leśkiewicz.
“The government did not inform the President of the Republic of Poland, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in advance about the contents of the Security and Defence Partnership Treaty negotiated and signed yesterday by the prime ministers of Poland and the United Kingdom. Donald Tusk did this solely to launch a manipulative narrative today, casting doubt on whether the President would sign the law ratifying the agreement,”
Leśkiewicz stressed.
He added that it was “an irresponsible move” by the prime minister and “an expression of political pettiness.”
“Repeated declarations about acting above political divisions for the sake of security are nothing more than empty slogans,”
the spokesperson commented.
In a video posted on social media, he also recalled the president’s earlier remarks regarding the treaty.