UK, France Coordinate Nuclear Deterrence in Historic Pact

The United Kingdom and France have formalized a historic agreement, the Northwood Declaration, to coordinate their nuclear deterrent forces for the first time as a joint response to any extreme threat to Europe. Announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, the pact signals a unified stance particularly aimed at deterring adversaries such as Russia amid growing global instability and questions about NATO's future. This cooperation reflects a shift toward deeper strategic collaboration between the two European nuclear powers, emphasizing that any aggression against either nation would trigger a coordinated nuclear response. Alongside this, they plan to enhance their military capabilities, including ordering additional Storm Shadow cruise missiles and establishing a coalition headquarters to support Ukraine. The leaders also introduced a new migration policy involving a 'one in, one out' scheme to manage small boat crossings into Britain by returning migrants to France while admitting others through legal routes. This agreement underscores the evolving security partnership between the UK and France in the face of contemporary geopolitical challenges.