UK and Poland Sign Landmark ‘Northolt Treaty’ to Counter Russia
On May 27, 2026, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a major bilateral defense and security pact in London. Dubbed the "Northolt Treaty" in honor of the RAF airfield where Polish fighter pilots served during World War II, the agreement represents a historic deepening of ties between the two NATO allies.
The treaty is explicitly designed to counter growing Russian threats, particularly in the Baltic region and eastern Europe. Key provisions of the Northolt Treaty include:
- Joint Weapons Development: Combining industrial capabilities to co-produce a next-generation, medium-range air defense missile.
- Interoperability Exercises: Conducting large-scale joint military exercises focused on counter-drone warfare, electronic warfare, and engineering support.
- Countering Hybrid Attacks: Sharing intelligence and coordinating defenses against Russian hybrid warfare, including arson, cyberattacks, and espionage. According to research, Poland is the primary target of Russian sabotage in Europe, suffering 31 out of 151 documented incidents since 2022.
Geopolitically, the Northolt Treaty is viewed as a strategic hedge against transatlantic uncertainty. With U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to accelerate the withdrawal of U.S. troops from European bases, European nations are increasingly turning to robust bilateral pacts to secure their defense.
This treaty is part of a broader Polish strategy to build a web of bilateral alliances with key international partners. In addition to the Northolt Treaty, Poland has:
- Signed a groundbreaking security treaty with France (including mutual security guarantees) in 2025.
- Established a strategic defense partnership with Sweden in 2024.
- Upgraded ties through comprehensive strategic partnerships with Japan and South Korea in April 2026.
- Agreed to deepen defense ties with Canada on May 26, 2026.
- Initiated talks with Germany on an enhanced defense agreement, scheduled to be signed on June 17, 2026.
Additionally, on June 3, 2026, Poland formally requested that the United States establish a new permanent military base on its territory, further cementing its frontline defense architecture.
Verbatim Quotes
- "“This treaty is the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation,” said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, ahead of the signing ceremony in London..." — Notes From Poland
- "“History teaches us, and geography teaches us in a particularly painful way, that Poland must build credible alliances that will, above all, deter potential aggressors,” added the Polish prime minister [Donald Tusk]." — Notes From Poland