Key facts
- UK and Germany launched a partnership to counter sabotage and cyberattacks.
- The partnership aims to monitor, deter, and disrupt threats.
- Both leaders warned of a hybrid threat from Russia.
- The 2025 Kensington Treaty was ratified, committing both countries to deeper cooperation.
The United Kingdom and Germany have launched a new joint partnership aimed at countering sabotage and cyberattacks, particularly those posed by Russia. The initiative, announced as Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, will focus on sharing information and coordinating actions to monitor, deter, and disrupt threats to critical infrastructure and through cyber means.
Both leaders have voiced concerns about the escalating hybrid threat from Russia. Germany's head of foreign intelligence warned of a more dangerous dimension to the confrontation with Russia, and last month, Germany concluded that Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.
Downing Street stated that adversaries, especially Russia, pose a hybrid threat across Europe and beyond. The new partnership is designed to degrade hostile actors' capacity to operate and build resilience against cyber-attacks and sabotage. Prime Minister Burnham emphasized that attacks on infrastructure, businesses, and democracies are not distant threats and are intended to divide nations.