Britain and Germany strengthen defence ties with new agreement

Britain and Germany signed a landmark defence agreement on Oct 23 and pledged to cooperate on exercises on Nato's eastern flank as they stressed the need for Europe to be able to defend itself given possible escalation in the war in Ukraine.

Europe's two biggest spenders on defence said the pact includes a commitment to develop new weapons that have a greater range and accuracy than current longrange missile systems like Storm Shadow, which Britain has given to Ukraine.

Highlighting their security concerns, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to respond to evidence that North Korea is providing Russia with troops to get involved in the war.

"I see this as a sign of desperation, as well as a shocking escalation," British Defence Secretary John Healey said at a joint press conference, adding it was highly likely North Korean troops had been deployed into Russia, but less clear if they had been sent to Ukraine yet.