UK and Germany sign ‘historic’ defence treaty amid Russia concerns

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a landmark treaty on Thursday that pledges to tighten defence ties, as European nations try to protect Ukraine, and themselves, from an aggressive Russia in the face of wavering support from President Donald Trump’s US-focused administration.

“This is a historic day for German-British relations,” Merz said, making his first official visit to Britain since taking office in May.

“We want to work together more closely, particularly after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. It is overdue for us to conclude such a treaty with each other.”

The treaty builds on a defence pact the UK and Germany, two of the biggest European supporters of Ukraine, signed last year, committing to closer cooperation against the growing threat from Russia.

It included a promise to “assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other”, though it was unclear what practical impact that will have, since both countries are Nato members and bound by the alliance’s mutual defence pact.