Brussels pushes EU members to discuss UK security pact
The European Commission is urging EU member states to approve negotiations for a security and defense partnership with the UK. High representative Kaja Kallas will visit London this week for discussions with defense officials ahead of a summit in May. Some member states, like France, want any security pact to be part of a broader agreement, complicating the approval process. The EU's external action service emphasizes the need for increased cooperation due to changing geopolitical conditions since the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer supports a security pact focused on military collaboration and research. Recent discussions have intensified following Donald Trump's engagement with Russia regarding Ukraine, with both the UK and France expressing readiness to support peacekeeping efforts.