British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will discuss a landmark economic and defense deal with German leaders, seeking to use Wednesday's visit as an opportunity to improve his country's relations with the rest of Europe.
Ahead of a two-day visit to Germany and France, Mr Starmer said he wanted Britain to move beyond the previous Tory government's poor relationship with European allies. He said he wants to put better ties with the bloc at the heart of his efforts to boost Britain's economic growth.
In his first stop in Berlin, Prime Minister Starmer will hold talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding a new pact that he believes will bring a new level of cooperation in areas such as trade and energy.
“We need to put Brexit behind us and fix the broken relationship inherited from the previous government”Mr. Starmer said in a statement. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild our ties with Europe.”
Britain and Germany, NATO members and the biggest defense spenders in Western Europe, are looking for ways to increase defense cooperation ahead of the possibility that the United States will reduce military support for Ukraine if Republican Donald Trump returns to the White House early next year.
Former President Trump has warned that if he wins the election, he will fundamentally examine “the purpose and mission of NATO”.
He also has not pledged to continue sending aid to Ukraine and has said he would not protect allies who do not meet defense budget quotas. Republican Trump is facing a close race with Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election for the White House.
Concerns that the US may reduce support for Ukraine have grown since Mr Trump chose JD Vance as his running mate. Mr. Vance has emphasized his opposition to the United States offering Ukraine, as he put it, “endless money” in the fight against Russian aggression.
A defense partnership between England and Germany could resemble the Lancaster House pact between Britain and France in 2010, according to officials. The agreement with Germany aims to create a joint force as well as joint research in nuclear missile research centers.
Negotiations between the parties will continue over the coming months with the aim of reaching an agreement early next year, according to Prime Minister Starmer's office, and signing the joint defense declaration in July.
Prime Minister Starmer will also hold talks with business leaders, including Armin Papperger, the chief executive of German arms firm Rheinmetall, who was the target of a Russian assassination plot last month, according to press reports. The Kremlin said the reports were false and could not be taken seriously.
Mr Starmer will also meet the head of Siemens Energy, Christian Bruch, which employs around 6,000 people in Britain. They will talk about increasing investments and creating highly qualified jobs.
During the stopover in Paris, Mr Starmer will hold talks with French business leaders and will be received by President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
