German-British Security Dialogue 2025

On 3^rd July, FES London joined the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) to host the annual UK-German Security Dialogue. Meeting at RUSI’s historic headquarters on Whitehall, the Dialogue brought together leading UK and German parliamentarians and security and defence experts to discuss the range of shared threats and challenges faced by both countries. 

Several key insights and conclusions emerged from the day’s discussions:

• UK-German defence cooperation is stronger than ever following the signing of both the Trinity House Agreement and the Kensington Treaty. Yet sustaining momentum will require deeper integration of procurement practices, industrial cooperation and joint financial instruments. 
• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its broader aggressive posture towards Europe remains the defining challenge for the continent’s security. Both countries reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, while recognising that long-term success will hinge on industrial cooperation, sustained financial support, and political resilience against ‘mission fatigue’ and a likely increase in Russian aggression and disinformation.
• The Euro-Atlantic security architecture is undergoing a period of strain and transition. While NATO remains the bedrock of collective defence, both countries recognised their roles in developing a forward-looking vision for Europe’s security and increasing its strategic autonomy. As such, ‘minilateral’ forms of cooperation such as the E3 and Weimar+ groups should be expanded and coordinated.
• Finally, both countries recognised the importance of ensuring that efforts to strengthen national security and resilience carried high levels of societal and political support and avoid the risk of a false dichotomy of ‘welfare versus warfare’ gaining currency. This means, alongside transparency in higher defence spending, strategic objectives are clearly communicated. Efforts must deliver tangible economic benefits, particularly in job creation and regional development, and must be coupled with a wide-ranging mission of broad, inclusive investment in public services and infrastructure. 

The Dialogue made a significant contribution to FES London’s ongoing goal of promoting exchange between UK and German colleagues, and developing an authentically social democratic approach to the defining issues of defence and security. We would like to thank our partners at RUSI for all their hard work to help deliver such a successful event.