London to Berlin Direct trains proposed

Plans for direct trains from London to Berlin will be drawn up by a joint UK-German taskforce, reigniting hopes for better rail links across Europe.

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Now, in a post-Brexit world, Merz and Starmer are positioning the UK as too important to exclude, even without rejoining the EU.

The Kensington treaty, which was signed by Starmer, Merz, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, and the German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, includes a broad package of agreements covering:

• A mutual assistance clause on national security, including shared recognition that Russia poses "the most significant and direct threat" to both countries.

• Joint procurement and development of defence technologies including Typhoon warplanes, Boxer armoured vehicles and long-range precision missiles.