A meeting in Warsaw

Presidents Karol Nawrocki and Gitanas Nausėda met at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, before a joint press conference. Nawrocki said the two countries are bound by more than a long shared history and close neighbourhood, pointing to common interests, a strategic partnership and shared responsibility for the security of their part of Europe and NATO's entire eastern flank. Nausėda linked the day to the 235th anniversary of the Act of Mutual Pledge of the Two Nations, which he said showed that the alliance rested on more than shared history. He added that it also depended on the ability to agree common goals while respecting the equality and independence of both states. Nausėda said these historical lessons take on new meaning in view of Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

Russia named the main threat

Both presidents named Russia's aggressive policy as the largest threat to security in the region. Nawrocki put it directly during the press conference:

“Poland and Lithuania fully understand that the greatest threat to the security of our region remains the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation.”

He said the shared priority must therefore be strengthening NATO's eastern flank. Nawrocki also said Russia runs hybrid operations against states in the region, using cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage and pressure on borders, and that Poland shares this experience with Lithuania. He called for close allied cooperation and a steady strengthening of the resilience of both states. Nausėda said the two countries face similar threats, including sabotage, disinformation and violations of airspace, and he backed further pressure on Russia, including through sanctions.

Energy and the US-Russia diesel question

Nawrocki also raised the agreement between the United States and Russia on supplies of Russian diesel to world markets, saying it requires joint reflection. He argued that stabilising the energy situation should not weaken pressure on Russia, and said:

“Stabilising the energy situation should not lead to weaker pressure on Russia or to undermining the security of the states in our region.”

The comments were framed as a call for the two countries to weigh the energy deal against their security concerns, rather than as a formal position on its terms.

Joint drills and a close partnership

Nausėda said Lithuania has applied for joint military exercises in spring 2027 with Poland and the three Baltic states, to be held at the Selonia training ground in Latvia. He described the relationship in personal terms:

“We are not only strategic partners and neighbours, but also genuine, close friends.”

Nausėda also said that Lithuania and Poland are now working together for a secure, free and united Europe, and he tied that cooperation to the anniversary of the 1791 pledge that marked the start of the alliance.