Starmer to sign defence agreement with nation that was UK's greatest foe in historic first

Britain is set to sign its first defence cooperation treaty with Germany in the modern-era this week, in a move hailed as a major step in tightening security ties across Europe.

Sir Keir Starmer and Germany’s new chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to formally approve the landmark agreement, which commits both nations to assist one another in the event of an attack.

The symbolic treaty is the centrepiece of Mr Merz’s visit to the UK, as the two recently elected leaders look to cement a strong working relationship in the face of growing global instability.

Whitehall insiders are already calling the development part of an emerging “triangle” alliance between London, Paris and Berlin. It follows Sir Keir’s announcement of deeper nuclear cooperation with French President Emmanuel Macron during a state visit last week, when he declared the move as significant as the UK’s migrant boats deal with France.

With Donald Trump back in the White House and casting doubt over America’s future commitment to Europe’s defence, all three countries have ramped up their own military spending in response.

Alongside security cooperation, the agreement will include measures to make it easier for German schoolchildren to visit the UK, in a bid to boost cultural and educational ties post-Brexit.

According to the Financial Times, pupils will be able to travel without individual visas under a streamlined scheme allowing teachers to submit group lists for fast approval — a step intended to reverse the steep 80 per cent drop in German school trips to the UK since Britain left the EU.

Mr Merz, who leads the centre-right Christian Democratic Union once headed by Angela Merkel, took office as Chancellor in May. His UK visit is set to include time at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country residence in Buckinghamshire.

One senior Whitehall source described the agreement as “an expression of the new British orientation towards Europe”. Since taking office, Sir Keir has repeatedly spoken about his desire to “reset” relations with the EU.

While the UK has allied with certain states of Germany which were once internationally recognised nations or kingdoms, such as Prussia in the Anglo-Prussian Alliances of the Napoleonic era, Britain has never conducted a military alliance with the modern state of Germany as it is composed today.

Since the two sides stopped being bitter enemies at the end of WW2, both the UK and Germany are now long-standing members of Nato — whose Article Five pledges collective defence if any member is attacked — it remains unclear how far the new bilateral agreement goes beyond that commitment.

At the very least, the treaty stands as a powerful symbol of Britain and Germany’s growing unity at a time when Russian aggression has reshaped Europe’s security landscape.

The fresh talk of a trilateral alliance between Britain, France and Germany comes as European leaders reckon with Mr Trump’s vocal criticism of their past defence contributions and prepare for an uncertain future.