Britain and France have unveiled a powerful new nuclear cooperation pact — dubbed the Northward Declaration — pledging deeper coordination of their arsenals amid rising European tensions. British PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the agreement in a joint statement, vowing unified deterrence against any "extreme threat" to the continent. Russia reacted sharply, calling the pact part of NATO's "anti-Russian canvas" and warning it would be considered in future military planning. Moscow has condemned the UK-France coordination as a dangerous escalation and an extension of Washington's influence in Europe. With nearly 500 nuclear warheads combined, the UK and France’s alignment significantly alters the nuclear landscape in Europe. Macron denied any link to Ukraine but said the pact "sends a message" to allies and enemies alike. Russian Deputy FM Ryabkov warned Moscow will now factor London and Paris’ joint nuclear force into its military strategy.
