UK and EU Signal Fresh Push for Defence Cooperation Talks

Published: 31 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The United Kingdom and the European Union are cautiously moving towards renewed discussions on defence cooperation, signalling a possible shift in post-Brexit relations shaped by growing global instability. Senior figures on both sides have indicated that security collaboration could return to the agenda, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised his desire to deepen ties with Brussels beyond existing agreements.

The prospect of renewed defence talks emerges as Maroš Šefčovič, the European Union’s trade commissioner, prepares to visit London next week. His scheduled meetings are formally focused on trade, energy, and fisheries, yet diplomatic sources suggest defence cooperation is increasingly seen as an urgent and unavoidable topic. British officials are understood to be keen to restart negotiations as soon as political conditions allow.

Previous efforts to secure closer defence ties stalled in November 2025, when talks over British participation in the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe defence fund collapsed. The programme, commonly known as Safe, was designed to strengthen Europe’s collective military capacity through long-term, low-cost loans. At the time, negotiations faltered amid disagreements over the financial terms required for UK entry.

European and British officials privately acknowledged that the failure was embarrassing, particularly because both sides had publicly championed enhanced cooperation only months earlier. At a high-profile summit hosted by Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, defence collaboration through Safe had been presented as a symbol of renewed trust. The sudden breakdown highlighted lingering political sensitivities and unresolved post-Brexit tensions.

France has rejected claims that it was responsible for derailing the talks, yet diplomatic sources across Europe continue to point to divisions among member states. Germany is widely seen as supportive of British involvement, with officials arguing that UK participation would strengthen Europe’s overall security. French concerns, however, appear to centre on ensuring political leverage and maintaining strict conditions for third-country participation.

One European diplomat suggested that France wanted British access to Safe to be linked to participation in a separate defence initiative agreed by EU leaders in December. That programme involves a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, backed by frozen Russian assets held in Belgium. German officials reportedly opposed such preconditions, warning they could delay urgently needed cooperation.

Despite these disagreements, there is now growing appetite on both sides to revisit defence talks. Changing global dynamics have injected fresh urgency into the debate. Donald Trump’s renewed criticism of Nato, combined with provocative comments about Greenland, has unsettled European capitals. These developments have reinforced concerns about long-term reliance on the United States for continental security.

Speaking during a visit to Beijing, Keir Starmer avoided direct reference to defence policy but stressed the importance of developing a closer and more flexible relationship with the European Union. He argued that future EU-UK summits should be iterative, building on progress rather than simply maintaining existing arrangements. His remarks were widely interpreted as an invitation to reopen discussions across multiple policy areas.

Starmer suggested that further cooperation could be explored within the single market, rather than through the customs union, which he argued no longer served Britain’s interests effectively. He emphasised that any new agreements must align with national priorities, while acknowledging that significant opportunities for progress remain. Defence cooperation, although unmentioned, was seen as an obvious candidate.

Economic considerations are also shaping the broader negotiations. British and European officials are exploring potential sector-specific deals, including in chemicals and automotive manufacturing. These industries face new tariffs on non-electric vehicles from next year, creating pressure for pragmatic solutions. The UK is also engaged in talks over a youth mobility scheme, with the government seeking limits on participant numbers and duration.

Within the Labour Party, Starmer faces mounting pressure to pursue closer ties with Brussels. Several senior figures argue that deteriorating relations with Washington under Trump have underscored the need for stronger European partnerships. Defence, economic security, and supply chain resilience are increasingly framed as interconnected challenges requiring collective solutions.

Stella Creasy, the Labour MP who chairs the Labour Movement for Europe, has called for a comprehensive reset in relations. She argued that restoring a strong working relationship with EU partners should involve defence, national security, and economic stability. In her view, no area should be excluded from discussions if Britain is to protect its long-term interests.

Formal discussions next week will take place within the framework of the EU-UK Partnership Council, the body overseeing post-Brexit relations. Šefčovič is scheduled to meet Nick Thomas-Symonds, with food and drink trade expected to dominate the agenda. Defence is not officially listed, though officials concede that informal exchanges are likely.

Šefčovič will also meet Chancellor Rachel Reeves to discuss geoeconomic issues, including supply chains and industrial resilience. Additional talks with Business Secretary Peter Kyle are planned, reflecting the growing overlap between economic and security concerns. These meetings underline how defence cooperation is increasingly viewed through a broader strategic lens.

There may also be opportunities for further defence-related discussions in Washington, where a political summit on critical minerals is due to take place. Convened by US Senator Marco Rubio, the meeting will bring together key allies to address supply vulnerabilities. The UK Foreign Office is expected to be represented by a minister, potentially opening space for informal EU-UK dialogue.

Sources close to the British government acknowledge that financial disagreements remain a significant obstacle. During previous negotiations, the EU reportedly sought a British contribution of around €2 billion to the Safe fund. British officials argued that a contribution measured in hundreds of millions would be more proportionate, given the UK’s status outside the union.

The Safe fund itself is structured around long-term borrowing by the European Commission, with loans repaid over forty-five years. Member states can use the funds to procure military equipment, including ammunition, drones, and missile systems. Procurement is open to suppliers inside and outside the EU, including British companies, under certain conditions.

Supporters of British participation argue that joining Safe would deliver tangible benefits to the UK defence industry. While Britain would not be eligible to apply directly for loans, participation under third-country rules would allow UK firms to bid for major procurement contracts. This could boost domestic manufacturing and strengthen strategic ties with European partners.

The original aim of the fund was to rapidly enhance Europe’s defence capabilities, an objective that has gained urgency amid uncertainty over US commitment. European leaders increasingly accept that collective self-reliance is essential in a volatile geopolitical environment. In this context, excluding one of Europe’s largest military powers appears increasingly impractical.

Although significant political hurdles remain, the renewed willingness to talk marks an important shift. Both sides appear more pragmatic than during earlier post-Brexit disputes, driven by shared security concerns and economic realities. Whether this momentum will translate into a concrete agreement remains uncertain.

For now, the prospect of renewed defence cooperation reflects a broader reassessment of the UK-EU relationship. As global alliances are tested and traditional assumptions challenged, London and Brussels may find that strategic necessity outweighs past divisions. The coming months will reveal whether cautious optimism can be transformed into lasting partnership.