Britain and France announced a pair of landmark agreements Thursday on nuclear security and immigration, uniting two allies — if occasionally squabbling neighbors — to confront a world of proliferating threats. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron said that for the first time, their countries would work together to deploy nuclear weapons if allies in Europe came under extreme threat. While each will retain control over its arsenal, both will coordinate on policy and more closely align their nuclear doctrines. “Our adversaries will know that any extreme threat to this continent would prompt a response from our two nations,” Mr. Starmer said, standing next to Mr. Macron at Northwood, a military headquarters northwest of London. “There is no greater demonstration of the importance of this relationship.”Mr. Macron, who was wrapping up a three-day state visit to Britain, said that no two other countries had “this closeness on nuclear doctrine,” and that it was a “message our partners must hear, as well as our adversaries.”

Source: The Times July 10, 2025 13:43 UTC