UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Debut Visit to Berlin

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to embark on his inaugural visit to Berlin on Wednesday, marking 18 months since assuming office. His meeting with German counterpart Olaf Scholz will be centred around pivotal discussions on military assistance for Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Additionally, the contentious British asylum agreement with Rwanda, recently ratified by the British parliament, is poised to feature prominently in their deliberations.

Despite the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union over four years ago, it remains a crucial ally for Germany across multiple international platforms, including NATO, the G7, and the G20. Notably, alongside Germany, the UK stands as one of Ukraine’s principal European arms suppliers and has recently committed significant new military aid to the region.

In the realm of Middle Eastern affairs, the UK’s Royal Air Force has been actively engaged in defending against substantial Iranian assaults on Israel, a role Germany has not undertaken.

However, the British asylum pact has sparked considerable debate and criticism within Germany. Under this agreement, asylum seekers arriving in the UK without proper documentation could face immediate deportation to Rwanda, where they may then seek asylum.

Opposition voices in Germany have also raised calls for relocating asylum procedures beyond EU borders, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity surrounding migration policies within the region.