UK and Germany sign treaty to deepen defence alliance
Mr Merz's day trip follows a three-day state visit to Britain by French president Emmanuel Macron, signalling greater co-operation between Europe's top three powers at a time of threats to the continent and uncertainty about their US ally.
'We see the scale of the challenges our continent faces today, and we intend to meet them head on,' Mr Starmer told a press conference after the two leaders signed the treaty in the Victoria and Albert Museum, co-founded by the UK's Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, of German origin.
'The Kensington treaty ... is an expression of our shared aims and values. But more than that, it's a practical work plan setting out 17 major projects where we will come together to deliver real results which will improve people's lives.'
We are jointly determined to shape this new era with new leadership opportunities
Standing next to Mr Starmer at an Airbus plant, Mr Merz again lamented the UK's departure from the EU, but said the agreement would cement ties between the two nations and complement an agreement London struck with France.
'We are jointly determined to shape this new era with new leadership opportunities – the United Kingdom and Germany side by side,' Mr Merz said.
Europe has been confronted with new US tariffs since Donald Trump returned to the White House as well as questions about the US commitment to defend its European allies, including Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
The two leaders said they had discussed in detail plans to send more weaponry to Ukraine after Mr Trump signalled he would sell weapons to Nato countries, including Patriot air defence missiles Kyiv has urgently sought. Mr Merz said the two had discussed Ukraine's need for long-range strike systems.
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