Sun: “Britain to send hundreds of soldiers to Poland to ward off Russian troops, as UK looks to Warsaw as a key Brexit ally”

Prime Minister hoping to cement relations with her Polish counterpart ahead of fraught EU negotiations

BRITAIN will send 150 troops to help protect Poland from Russian aggression as Theresa May looks to secure Warsaw’s backing in Brexit talks.

A summit between the PM and her Polish counterpart Beata Szydlo [was held] in an effort to stand up to bolshie Putin and allay Polish fears about its citizens remaining in the UK after Britain leaves the EU.

               

Theresa May is trying to cement ties with Polish counterpart Beata Szydlo ahead of Brexit negotiations

The deployment of troops from the Light Dragoons will be based in the northeastern town of Orzysz, just 100km from the key Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, from April.

It is here that Russia is planning to base Nuclear-capable missiles posing a major threat to cities in northern Europe.

While the deployment is small compared to Russia’s vast military, the gesture is intended to be symbolic of the UK’s commitment to her NATO allies and Britain’s ties to Poland.

Theresa May said on Sunday: “We share a clear commitment to take our co-operation to the next level and to firmly establish the UK and Poland as resolute and strategic allies.

“We will never forget the Polish pilots who braved the skies alongside us during World War Two … nor the valuable contribution made by so many Poles in our country today.

“I am determined that Brexit will not weaken our relationship … rather it will serve as a catalyst to strengthen it.”

       
Deployment of 150 troops will be stationed near the border with Kaliningrad, a key Russian enclave

Brexit-related talks will likely rile EU leaders after Brussels banned member states from formal negotiations with Britain before Article 50 is triggered in March next year

While the British deployment will be small the symbolic gesture is intended to help secure Anglo-Polish ties