After years of strained ties, the European Union and the United Kingdom are showing cautious signs of rapprochement. This new dynamic is largely driven by shifting global conditions: a rising threat from Russia and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, heightening uncertainty in transatlantic relations.
The symbolic beginning of this reset came with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to an informal EU defense summit in Brussels — the first such participation by a UK leader since Brexit. The meeting was notably constructive, leading to the announcement of a bilateral summit scheduled for May 2025 in the UK.
Strategic Interests: The Drivers of Reengagement
Defense cooperation has emerged as the central focus of the renewed dialogue. In recent years, the EU has realized its vulnerabilities in the security sphere, exacerbated by the departure of one of its strongest military powers — the UK. The growing threat from the East and uncertainty over US commitments are objectively aligning London and Brussels.
Analysts note that the instability of US foreign policy demands greater strategic autonomy for Europe, making Britain’s military capabilities once again highly desirable.
As Janis Emmanouilidis, Research Director at the European Policy Centre, put it, “The UK holds unique security capacities that the EU critically lacks since Brexit.”
Practical Steps: Priorities for Cooperation
In his address in Brussels, Keir Starmer outlined three key areas for future cooperation:
- Technological development: enhancing joint research and development in defense technologies.
- Military mobility: improving logistical networks to enable faster troop movements across Europe.
- Infrastructure protection: strengthening collaboration to defend critical undersea and other infrastructures against sabotage.
Starmer also proposed deepening cooperation in joint missions — citing the UK’s successful program for training Ukrainian soldiers — and advancing industrial collaboration in the defense sector.
Beyond Defense: Ambitions and Constraints
While military cooperation appears to be the immediate priority, both sides signal broader ambitions. European Council President António Costa and British officials have expressed their desire to expand collaboration into other areas, though specific directions remain undefined.
Former Brexit Taskforce Director Jonathan Faull suggests that defense negotiations could act as a “warm-up” for deeper integration, possibly encompassing trade, energy, and innovation.
Nevertheless, the extent of this expansion will heavily depend on the ability of both parties to overcome long-standing barriers, particularly mutual distrust and diverging strategic interests.
Brexit’s Economic Fallout: A Pressure Point
British Minister for Europe Nick Thomas-Symonds recently acknowledged in a Telegraph op-ed that Brexit’s negative effects are becoming increasingly apparent: declining trade volumes, a migration policy crisis, and rising public expenditures.
According to UK government data, exports to the EU fell by 27% and imports by 32% between 2021 and 2023. These numbers underscore the urgent need for Britain to ease trade barriers to stimulate growth.
The EU, for its part, is also interested in reinforcing economic ties with London, particularly in areas like technology and innovation. In this context, military cooperation may serve not only as a security imperative but also as a gateway to broader economic reengagement.
Outlook: Cautious Optimism or Persistent Barriers?
The upcoming May summit could mark a significant milestone in redefining EU-UK relations. However, experts warn against premature optimism.
Fabian Zuleeg, CEO of the European Policy Centre, stresses that much will depend on how deeply the UK is willing to reintegrate into European mechanisms — particularly regarding defense procurement and support for Ukraine. Political will and the readiness to compromise will be critical.
A Politico survey among European officials suggests there is hope for better relations, but no expectation of major breakthroughs in the short term.
Thus, the reset between the EU and the UK appears more as a strategic necessity driven by external threats than a deliberate choice for full-scale reintegration. The path toward genuine rapprochement will likely be long and fraught with challenges.
