Poland and UK Elevate Bilateral Ties with Northolt Defence Treaty
27.05.2026
Prime Minister Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the Treaty on Security and Defence Partnership at the Northolt military air base. "We want to defend a safe Poland and a safe United Kingdom, and to protect our values," the Prime Minister emphasized. Warsaw and London have elevated their bilateral relations to the highest level. The Northolt Treaty provides for cooperation in the areas of defence, the defence industry, and cybersecurity. The goal of both states is to effectively deter a potential aggressor, Russia. This is another strategic agreement concluded by our country, following the signing of a similar treaty with France in 2025.
Poland's history and geographical position demonstrate how vital enduring partnerships built on concrete commitments and practical cooperation are. The Polish-British treaty strengthens the security of both states and serves to effectively deter potential threats before any conflict arises.
The Republic of Poland and the United Kingdom need the highest level of cooperation when it comes to security and defence,
— Donald Tusk stressed at the treaty-signing ceremony with the United Kingdom at Northolt, the historic base of Polish airmen from No. 303 Squadron.
A particularly important area of cooperation between Warsaw and London will be the protection of cyberspace.
Modern technologies mean that today no one feels safe. Cooperation in this domain is of great importance,
— the Prime Minister noted.
The Polish-British treaty is also intended to deepen cooperation within the North Atlantic Alliance.
We are doing this to strengthen NATO. We want to be more practical and faster in responding, should the need arise. The political essence of the agreement is to strengthen European solidarity and transatlantic ties,
— the Prime Minister explained.
The goal of Poland and the United Kingdom is to effectively deter a potential aggressor — Russia.
There is no greater challenge for us than Russian aggression. We see this not only in Ukraine itself, but also beyond its borders. The signed treaty is truly a generational strengthening of the security and defence relationship between our countries,
— British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assessed.
Poland and the United Kingdom also declared the protection of shared values such as the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. These values remain the foundation of Warsaw–London cooperation.
Our military, technological, and cyber cooperation, as well as our cooperation on security in the broadest sense — including health security and information security — gives hope that this historic treaty will truly make our future safer,
— Donald Tusk concluded.
The signed document also increases stability in the region and within the Euro-Atlantic community.