Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in London on Wednesday, marking the beginning of his three-day state visit. This is the first official visit by a German head of state in 27 years, signalling the start of a new chapter in London-Berlin relations.
Purpose of the Visit
The central focus of President Steinmeier’s trip is to discuss coordinated support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia — an area that has become a key theme of close cooperation between the UK and Germany. On Wednesday, Steinmeier met Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks at Downing Street.
Relations Across the English Channel
Post-Brexit relations between the UK and Germany had weakened; however, ties began improving under former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the positive momentum has continued under his centre-left Labour successor, Keir Starmer.
Former Rivals Now Strategic Partners
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, along with the political turbulence experienced during the Trump administration, has pushed Europe’s major powers closer together — including Britain and Germany, once enemies during the First and Second World Wars.