UK and Germany sign their first bilateral defence treaty since World War II
The United Kingdom and Germany have signed their first bilateral treaty since the end of World War II, marking a significant step toward enhanced defence cooperation amid escalating security challenges in Europe.
Known as the Kensington Treaty, the agreement was signed on Thursday by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The treaty includes key provisions on mutual assistance in the event of an attack and joint military export initiatives particularly to promote externally targeted sales of jointly developed defence equipment such as fighter jets.Chancellor Merz, speaking after the signing ceremony, described defense as the treaty’s central theme, symbolizing that Germany and the UK are “truly entering a new chapter” in their relationship following Britain's 2020 departure from the European Union.
“We recognise the scale of challenges facing our continent, and we are committed to confronting them directly,” Prime Minister Starmer stated during a press conference.
Although both countries are NATO members, and already bound by NATO’s collective defence clause (Article 5), the new treaty reiterates a bilateral commitment to assist each other militarily in case of an armed attack.
Merz’s London visit follows closely on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit, during which France and the UK committed to further coordinating their nuclear deterrent strategies. This series of high-level engagements signals a growing determination among Europe’s leading powers to reinforce regional security, especially amid uncertainties over continued U.S. military support.
While Germany does not possess nuclear weapons, the treaty outlines continued close dialogue between the UK and Germany on mutual defence priorities, including nuclear policy.
The leaders also discussed strategies to strengthen European support for Ukraine. This comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a plan to supply NATO countries with U.S. arms, which would then be passed on to Kyiv. Starmer confirmed that a strategy is in place should a ceasefire be reached in Ukraine, stressing the need to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table for an unconditional cessation of hostilities.
A Franco-British-led “coalition of the willing,” which includes Germany, is reportedly in discussions regarding a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine to enforce any future agreement with Russia.
With Trump’s possible return to power casting doubt on America’s traditional defence commitments to Europe, the treaty reflects growing urgency among European powers to enhance their own security capabilities.
Beyond military matters, the agreement also addresses irregular migration. It outlines joint measures to curb asylum seeker arrivals, aligning with Starmer’s broader domestic agenda aimed at countering the rising influence of the far-right Reform UK party.
Starmer emphasized that the treaty demonstrates both nations' commitment to tackling illegal migration, praising Germany’s recent legislation that grants authorities expanded powers to investigate smugglers’ storage sites for boats used in English Channel crossings.
This comes on the heels of a recent UK-France agreement under which asylum seekers arriving in the UK via small boats could be returned to France, in exchange for accepting refugees with valid claims and family ties in Britain.
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