UK and Germany seal defence deal as they eye Russian threat
Al Jazeera
The first defence pact between the two nations comes as British government pushes a reset with Europe.
The United Kingdom and Germany have signed off on a bilateral defence pact, with an eye on countering the growing security threat from Russia, among others.
The deal, sealed on Wednesday, sees Europe’s two largest spenders pledge to co-operate on exercises on NATO’s eastern flank amid concerns over a possible escalation of the war in Ukraine. It also marks a step in the British government’s push to reset relations with its European peers.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the deal, named the Trinity House Agreement, would bolster Europe’s ability to defend itself.
“We share the same threats: war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, growing Russian aggression. We share the same values: democracy, individual freedom, rule of law,” he said.
His German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, said the deal would “strengthen … the European pillar of NATO”.
