Post-Brexit, U.K. seeks closer security ties with continental Europe

U.K. Defense Minister John Healey and Boris Pistorius, his German counterpart, announced Wednesday their nations will more closely cooperate on security and defense issues.

The announcement "was hailed as the first of its kind between the NATO allies," German state media DW reported.

The agreement calls on the countries "to bolster the[ir] defense industries," strengthen cooperation on weapons development and procurement, and coordinate on Ukraine support.

The agreement, which has a strong cybersecurity focus, represents the U.K. government's "determin[ation] to reset relations with Europe" under the country's new Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Healy said.