The leaders of France, Germany and Britain are building parallel diplomatic institutions to defend Europe as President Trump retreats from the continent.

Sir Keir Starmer has told how he was “very concerned” over smuggling routes through Germany. The Prime Minister and the German chancellor held a press conference today after signing the first treaty between the nations since the Second World War.

The landmark treaty builds on a defense pact the U.K. and Germany, two of the biggest European supporters of Ukraine, signed last year committing to closer co-operation against the growing threat from Russia.

Germany’s leader will use a London visit Thursday to finalize a wide-ranging pact that goes big on security cooperation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted the UK may join Germany in purchasing weapons from the US to give to Ukraine, as western allies seek to shore up the conflict-torn nation’s defenses in its war against Russian invaders.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accepted US accusations that Europe was doing too little to fund its own defence and security, but now believes they are on the same page. "We know we have to do more on our own and we have been free-riders in the past," he told the BBC's Today Programme, "they're asking us to do more and we are doing more."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, with the visit set to focus on defence and illegal migration.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a treaty that includes a commitment for the two nations to assist each other in case of armed attack, part of a wider reset of post-Brexit ties.

Brits and Germans alike will benefit from a closer partnership on the issues that matter most to them according to the Government, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts Chancellor Friedrich Merz for a comprehensive visit to London today (Thursday 17 July) to revamp the UK-Germany friendship and sign a Bilateral Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.