Poland Pushes for Stronger Transatlantic Ties Amid EU Defence-Funding Debate

On October 27, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and British Defence Minister Wes Streeting announced a three-year defence-cooperation plan covering joint exercises and capability development. Both ministers said there is “no alternative to transatlantic cooperation” and that the alliance with the United States must be reinforced while European defence capabilities are expanded.

ReutersEurope’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

The discussion follows a panel at the Warsaw Security Forum on October 13, where European leaders examined how to allocate defence resources. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski noted that Poland spends close to 5 % of GDP on defence and stressed the link between security and economic strength.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

Three weeks before the forum, the United States announced a purchase of Russian diesel, prompting panel moderator Maria Tadeo to ask whether European sanctions policy could survive the move. The deal was described by Guntram Wolff, professor of economics at Université Libre de Bruxelles, as “horrible news” that raises doubts about U.S. reliability as an ally.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

In response, Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski and European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin highlighted a forthcoming sanctions package targeting nearly 1,600 entities and individuals. Both argued that sanctions are working: Russian growth is falling, inflation is rising, and defence spending is gaining a larger share of national budgets.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• Poland defence spending: ~5 % of GDP (Finance Minister Domanski).

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• EU budget proposal: 1.26 % of gross national income, up from the 1.15 % agreed seven years ago.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• Sanctions scope: ~1,600 Russian entities and individuals.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• IMF internal-barrier estimates: above 40 % for goods and above 100 % for services within the EU.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• EU SAFE financing programme: Poland will seek to ensure the United Kingdom can benefit from this fund.

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• Wes Streeting (British Defence Minister) echoed the sentiment, supporting the joint plan and the broader goal of a stronger European defence posture.

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• Piotr Serafin argued that Europe has learned from reliance on cheap Russian energy, stating, “We have understood that there is no cheap Russian gas or cheap Russian oil.”

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• Guntram Wolff warned that the U.S.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• “Being addicted to cheap Russian gas was one of the reasons that made Russia stronger,” — Mr Doma — Andrzej Domanski, Polish Finance Minister

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• “We have understood that there is no cheap Russian gas or cheap Russian oil,” — Mr Serafin — Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• October 13 – Warsaw Security Forum panel discusses security-growth linkage and defence spending.

Europe’s question? Whether US is still an ally or not

• October 27 – Poland and the United Kingdom sign a three-year defence-cooperation agreement; Polish Defence Minister emphasizes the indispensability of the U.S. alliance.

Reuters