• France and Poland signed a treaty with a mutual defense clause on May 9.
• The agreement aims to enhance support in case of military aggression.
• It reflects growing defense ties following Russia's actions in Ukraine.
• Leaders emphasized the treaty does not replace NATO or EU protections.
• The signing coincided with WWII commemorations, highlighting historical significance.

On May 9, France and Poland signed a mutual defense treaty in Nancy, aiming to strengthen their security ties amid rising concerns over military threats in Europe. The treaty commits both countries to assist one another in the event of military aggression, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stating, “In the case of an attack against Poland or France, the two countries commit to providing mutual assistance, including military assistance,” according to Reuters and Le Monde.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the treaty enhances existing frameworks provided by NATO and the EU, insisting it does not replace them but rather “reinforces what already exists today.” The treaty includes a provision for mutual assistance in the event of armed aggression, operationalizing existing commitments under Article 5 of NATO and Article 42 of the EU Treaty, according to South China Morning Post and Le Monde.

The signing occurred during the 80th-anniversary commemorations of the end of World War II, symbolizing a new chapter in Franco-Polish relations. Observers noted that this agreement marks a significant step towards deeper military collaboration amidst the backdrop of ongoing instability in Europe, particularly due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Marek Swierczynski, a security analyst, emphasized, “Poland is saying: 'Yes, we are taking responsibility for ourselves by entering into an alliance with the strongest country in continental Europe'” according to The Local and Le Monde.

As these nations bolster their military capabilities, reports indicate that Poland aims to expand its army significantly within the next decade, potentially becoming the EU's largest military force with 300,000 troops by 2035, overtaking both France and Germany. Tusk referred to the agreement as groundbreaking, a sentiment mirrored by Macron's assertion that the treaty elevates their partnership to “a high level of ambition in strategic areas for our two countries and for Europe,” according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.