Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has expressed hopes for a “Breturn” rather than Brexit during a visit to Warsaw by Sir Keir Starmer, the UK’s Leader of the Opposition. In talks focusing on UK-EU cooperation, Mr Tusk, a former president of the European Council during the Brexit referendum, shared his vision of restoring closer ties between the UK and the European Union post-Brexit.
Addressing a joint press conference on Friday, Mr Tusk reflected on the emotional impact of the Brexit referendum result, saying: “I already miss you,” referring to the UK’s departure from the EU. He continued, “This is not just about emotions and sentiments – I am aware this is a dream of mine, that instead of Brexit we will have a Breturn.”
While Mr Tusk acknowledged the possibility that his hopes were an “illusion”, he added, “I’d rather be an optimist and harbour these dreams in my heart – sometimes they come true in politics.” His remarks struck an emotional chord, particularly as they underscored the deep connections that remain between the UK and its European neighbours despite the Brexit divide.
Sir Keir Starmer, standing alongside Mr Tusk, did not delve into detailed discussions about Brexit, instead focusing on the need for ongoing collaboration between European countries on issues such as migration, people smuggling, and security. He did, however, praise Poland’s leadership of the EU Council, congratulating Mr Tusk for making European security a central focus of his presidency. “This is the issue of our time,” Sir Keir remarked, emphasizing the shared importance of collective European defence in a volatile global landscape.
Starmer’s visit to Warsaw followed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, where he reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s security. Speaking to the press in Poland, Starmer highlighted the UK’s deepening defence ties with Poland, which have been reinforced through substantial defence agreements, including £8 billion worth of deals over the past three years. The two leaders are now aiming to further strengthen this partnership with a new bilateral defence pact, which Mr Tusk hopes will be ratified later this year.
Starmer revealed that a new joint programme office would be established in Bristol as part of a £4 billion partnership to deliver the next generation of air defence systems to Poland. He also stressed the unwavering commitment of both nations to NATO and to Ukraine. “We share an unbreakable commitment to NATO and an unbreakable commitment to Ukraine,” he stated.
During his visit, Sir Keir urged European leaders to “double down” in their support for Ukraine, stressing that the time for complacency had passed. “We must never accept that now is a time to let up,” he said, reinforcing the urgency of continued Western backing for Kyiv in its conflict with Russia. The UK’s position on Ukraine has become even more crucial given concerns over a potential shift in US policy under President-elect Donald Trump, just days before his inauguration.
Both Sir Keir and Mr Tusk also discussed tackling shared threats, particularly those posed by people-smuggling gangs and Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. The bilateral meeting covered topics such as migration and energy, with both leaders agreeing on the importance of closer cooperation to address these pressing issues.
Sir Keir also met with Polish President Andrzej Duda during his visit, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary. A spokesperson from Number 10 emphasized that both leaders were united in their resolve to back Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and independence.
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Earlier in his trip, Sir Keir visited the Auschwitz concentration camp, a place he described as “utterly harrowing.” He reiterated his determination to fight antisemitism and hatred in all forms. Sir Keir was accompanied by his wife Victoria, who is Jewish, and the visit left a profound impact on them both. “The truth that I have seen here today will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Sir Keir said, pledging to continue his efforts to ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten. “Never again,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to combatting the “poison of antisemitism” wherever it may arise.
This visit to Poland marks another significant chapter in Sir Keir’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to strengthen the UK’s ties with its European partners in the post-Brexit era, while also reinforcing the importance of collective security and humanitarian responsibility.
