The UK and Germany have signed their first bilateral treaty since the Second World War, signalling a renewed alliance focused on European defence. The Kensington Treaty, inked in London by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, comes at a time of mounting pressure in Europe due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and doubts over future US involvement in NATO.
At its core, the treaty pledges mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack. Both nations already fall under NATO’s Article 5 protection, but this move adds a bilateral layer of assurance. It also cements collaboration on defence production and military technology.
“We see the scale of the challenges our continent faces today, and we intend to meet them head on,” said Starmer at a joint press conference held at an Airbus facility in Stevenage.
Merz described the occasion as “a historic day for German-British relations,” adding, “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.”
Defence ties beyond NATO
The treaty lays out a broad defence agenda. It commits both sides to joint export campaigns for weapons systems such as Typhoon fighter jets and Boxer armoured vehicles, with plans to develop a new long-range precision missile over the next decade. German drone manufacturer Stark will also open a production site in the UK to aid Ukraine’s defence effort.
Importantly, the treaty includes a shared commitment to “assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other,” although the practical significance remains to be seen given NATO's overlapping obligations.
Merz was clear about the treaty’s central theme. “Defence is the thread running through the treaty,” he said after the signing ceremony at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Building a united European response
Both Starmer and Merz placed the treaty within a broader European context, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to the UK. There, France and Britain agreed for the first time to coordinate their nuclear deterrents.
Germany, which does not have nuclear weapons, will instead maintain “a close dialogue on defence issues of mutual interest … including on nuclear issues,” according to the treaty.
Merz said, “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.”
He made it clear that his trip to London just one week after Macron’s was no accident. “It was no coincidence,” he said. “We are really on the way to a new chapter.”
Ukraine and the 'coalition of the willing'
As Ukraine remains under siege, the UK, Germany and France are leading efforts to maintain support for Kyiv. Trump’s proposal to sell US weapons to NATO allies, who would then deliver them to Ukraine, was discussed at the meeting.
Merz said the arrangement was still being ironed out, and that it could take “days, perhaps weeks” before weapons reach the front line. He stressed the need for a replacement plan from Washington, saying, “Above all, we need clarity on how weapons systems that are given up from the European side will be replaced by the US.”
Starmer pointed to the need for diplomatic groundwork as well. “The first step is to get [Russian President] Vladimir Putin to the table for an unconditional ceasefire,” he said, according to the BBC.
The leaders also discussed the idea of a peacekeeping force, should a future ceasefire take hold. Talks under the so-called “coalition of the willing” have already begun, involving the UK, France, and Germany.
Migration measures gain legal teeth
Alongside security matters, the treaty aims to strengthen efforts to stop illegal migration. In 2024, over 37,000 people crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats. More than 22,000 have arrived so far this year.
Starmer said the treaty showed the UK and Germany “mean business” when it comes to disrupting the criminal gangs behind these crossings. He also praised Berlin’s promise to amend German law by year-end, making it a criminal offence to assist migrant smuggling to Britain.
“We’ve discussed this at great length,” Starmer said. “[The chancellor] is now going to change the law so that we can intervene.”
Merz confirmed the plan and added, “We want to drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe. We are on a good path, but we haven’t reached the target yet.”
A three-way push with France
Merz proposed building on existing Franco-British migration deals to create a three-way returns agreement. “The cooperation between the United Kingdom and France … has to be complemented by an agreement that we aim to achieve between the three of us: UK, Germany, France,” he said through a translator.
The idea mirrors long-standing German ambitions for a strategic axis of leading European powers. Merz’s predecessor and political mentor, Wolfgang Schäuble, had once envisioned a “core Europe” driven by Berlin and Paris. Now, Britain has re-entered the fold, albeit outside the EU.
Despite expressing his disapproval of Brexit, Merz acknowledged the reality. “I personally deplore this deeply,” he said. “But we are now learning that it’s not enough, so we have to do more.”
Ties beyond defence
The Kensington Treaty doesn’t just deal in weapons and laws. It includes agreements to expand cultural and educational exchanges, create a joint rail taskforce, and allow UK passport holders to use German e-gates.
Merz welcomed a more flexible system for young people. “I am glad we were able to reach an agreement so that schoolchildren and students can come to Britain more easily in the future, and the other way round can come to Germany more easily.”
Though Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market or customs union, the treaty reflects his effort to mend fences after years of Brexit-inflicted strain.
As both countries prepare to raise defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP, the Kensington Treaty signals something broader than just military planning. It shows a deliberate shift towards European-led action, just as the ground under the old alliances begins to shift.
And for both leaders, it marks the beginning of a new political chapter.
“We had you in the European Union and we thought that was enough,” Merz said. “But we are now learning that it’s not enough, so we have to do more.”
(with inputs from AP, Reuters)
At its core, the treaty pledges mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack. Both nations already fall under NATO’s Article 5 protection, but this move adds a bilateral layer of assurance. It also cements collaboration on defence production and military technology.
“We see the scale of the challenges our continent faces today, and we intend to meet them head on,” said Starmer at a joint press conference held at an Airbus facility in Stevenage.
Merz described the occasion as “a historic day for German-British relations,” adding, “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.”
Defence ties beyond NATO
The treaty lays out a broad defence agenda. It commits both sides to joint export campaigns for weapons systems such as Typhoon fighter jets and Boxer armoured vehicles, with plans to develop a new long-range precision missile over the next decade. German drone manufacturer Stark will also open a production site in the UK to aid Ukraine’s defence effort.
Importantly, the treaty includes a shared commitment to “assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other,” although the practical significance remains to be seen given NATO's overlapping obligations.
Merz was clear about the treaty’s central theme. “Defence is the thread running through the treaty,” he said after the signing ceremony at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Building a united European response
Both Starmer and Merz placed the treaty within a broader European context, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to the UK. There, France and Britain agreed for the first time to coordinate their nuclear deterrents.
Germany, which does not have nuclear weapons, will instead maintain “a close dialogue on defence issues of mutual interest … including on nuclear issues,” according to the treaty.
Merz said, “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.”
He made it clear that his trip to London just one week after Macron’s was no accident. “It was no coincidence,” he said. “We are really on the way to a new chapter.”
Ukraine and the 'coalition of the willing'
As Ukraine remains under siege, the UK, Germany and France are leading efforts to maintain support for Kyiv. Trump’s proposal to sell US weapons to NATO allies, who would then deliver them to Ukraine, was discussed at the meeting.
Merz said the arrangement was still being ironed out, and that it could take “days, perhaps weeks” before weapons reach the front line. He stressed the need for a replacement plan from Washington, saying, “Above all, we need clarity on how weapons systems that are given up from the European side will be replaced by the US.”
Starmer pointed to the need for diplomatic groundwork as well. “The first step is to get [Russian President] Vladimir Putin to the table for an unconditional ceasefire,” he said, according to the BBC.
The leaders also discussed the idea of a peacekeeping force, should a future ceasefire take hold. Talks under the so-called “coalition of the willing” have already begun, involving the UK, France, and Germany.
Migration measures gain legal teeth
Alongside security matters, the treaty aims to strengthen efforts to stop illegal migration. In 2024, over 37,000 people crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats. More than 22,000 have arrived so far this year.
Starmer said the treaty showed the UK and Germany “mean business” when it comes to disrupting the criminal gangs behind these crossings. He also praised Berlin’s promise to amend German law by year-end, making it a criminal offence to assist migrant smuggling to Britain.
“We’ve discussed this at great length,” Starmer said. “[The chancellor] is now going to change the law so that we can intervene.”
Merz confirmed the plan and added, “We want to drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe. We are on a good path, but we haven’t reached the target yet.”
A three-way push with France
Merz proposed building on existing Franco-British migration deals to create a three-way returns agreement. “The cooperation between the United Kingdom and France … has to be complemented by an agreement that we aim to achieve between the three of us: UK, Germany, France,” he said through a translator.
The idea mirrors long-standing German ambitions for a strategic axis of leading European powers. Merz’s predecessor and political mentor, Wolfgang Schäuble, had once envisioned a “core Europe” driven by Berlin and Paris. Now, Britain has re-entered the fold, albeit outside the EU.
Despite expressing his disapproval of Brexit, Merz acknowledged the reality. “I personally deplore this deeply,” he said. “But we are now learning that it’s not enough, so we have to do more.”
Ties beyond defence
The Kensington Treaty doesn’t just deal in weapons and laws. It includes agreements to expand cultural and educational exchanges, create a joint rail taskforce, and allow UK passport holders to use German e-gates.
Merz welcomed a more flexible system for young people. “I am glad we were able to reach an agreement so that schoolchildren and students can come to Britain more easily in the future, and the other way round can come to Germany more easily.”
Though Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market or customs union, the treaty reflects his effort to mend fences after years of Brexit-inflicted strain.
As both countries prepare to raise defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP, the Kensington Treaty signals something broader than just military planning. It shows a deliberate shift towards European-led action, just as the ground under the old alliances begins to shift.
And for both leaders, it marks the beginning of a new political chapter.
“We had you in the European Union and we thought that was enough,” Merz said. “But we are now learning that it’s not enough, so we have to do more.”
(with inputs from AP, Reuters)
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