Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a treaty yesterday aimed at tightening defence ties between the two. The move comes at a time when European nations are striving to protect Ukraine – and themselves – from Russian aggression, amidst concerns about the Trump administration’s seemingly wavering support.
Calling it a “historic day for German-British relations”, Merz noted that the new pact, which he described as “overdue”, requires the signatories to boost investment and to strengthen law-enforcement cooperation in taking on the criminal gangs engaged in people-smuggling across the English Channel.
“We want to work together more closely, particularly after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union,” Merz declared.
The treaty expands on the 2024 defence pact between London and Berlin, in which two of Ukraine’s biggest European supporters undertook to work more closely with one another in tackling the growing threat from Russia. The agreement promises they will “assist one another, including by military means,” in the event of “an armed attack on the other”. Since both countries are NATO members, how this differs from the alliance’s mutual defence pact is unclear.
Starmer told a press conference that the treaty sealed a “partnership with a purpose”, one that promised to meet the challenges Europe currently faces “head on”. Â
Last week, France and the UK pledged to coordinate their nuclear deterrents for the first time. Germany does not have nuclear weapons but its new treaty with Britain commits the two to “maintain a close dialogue on defence issues of mutual interest … including on nuclear issues.”
“The E3 – Great Britain, France and Germany — are converging in their positions on foreign policy, on security policy, on migration policy, but also on economic policy issues,“ Merz stated. The treaty reflects a “shared commitment to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area“ and is “underpinned by enhanced European contributions”.  Berlin and London have promised to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP in the coming years.
Merz and Starmer discussed ways to boost European support for Ukraine, following President Donald Trump‘s announced plan to reinforce Kyiv’s armaments stockpile by selling U.S. weapons to NATO allies, which in turn could then send them on to Kyiv. According to Merz, the proposal remains a work in progress. He cautioned that it could take “days, perhaps weeks“ before weapons actually reached Ukraine. “We need clarity on how weapons systems that are given up from the European side will be replaced by the U.S.”
The leaders used the Merz visit to announce that the German defence startup Stark, which manufactures drones for Ukraine, is to open a factory in England. They also agreed to joint production of defence exports such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon jets, and to develop a deep precision strike missile in the next decade.
Starmer praised Merz for his help in curbing the smuggling gangs that brought 37,000 people across the English Channel from France in small boats in 2024, and more than 22,000 so far this year. He welcomed Berlin’s decision to criminalise actions facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the U.K. Merz committed to adopting the law change by the end of the year.
