Starmer warns of Russian aggression as UK agrees new treaty with Poland

Starmer warns of Russian aggression as UK agrees new treaty with PolandJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRichard WheelerPolitical reporterPA MediaSir Keir Starmer (left) and Donald Tusk met to formalise a UK-Poland security agreementSir Keir Starmer has said the UK and Poland are facing "no greater challenge" than Russian aggression, as the two countries signed a new defence and security treaty.The prime minister described the agreement as providing a "generational uplift" in the relationship with Poland.Downing Street said the treaty's aims include supporting defence jobs, helping respond to cyber attacks, improving border security and dismantling organised crime groups.But Ed Arnold, defence adviser at The D Group and senior associate fellow at the RUSI think tank, questioned the impact the treaty would have and how it differed from previous agreements between the two countries.Sir Keir held talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at RAF Northolt in west London on Wednesday to formalise the treaty.They also visited the nearby Battle of Britain Bunker, where they laid a commemorative wreath.Sir Keir said: "There's no greater challenge for either of our countries than the challenge of Russian aggression, and we see that not just in Ukraine itself, but beyond Ukraine, impacting on our own countries."So that's the context in which we sign what is actually a generational uplift in the relationship on security and defence between our two countries."Tusk, speaking through an interpreter, said the UK and Poland's "shared values", including rule of law and human rights, provided the "foundation of the treaty".He said some people "might say these values are now old-fashioned and obsolete, but they are important for us and for our nations".The treaty text said it aims to "strengthen close co-operation in security and defence and preparing for the challenges facing" bo...