UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
The UK is moving closer to a new defence agreement with the European Union, aiming to strengthen post-Brexit ties amid global uncertainty, particularly following disruptions caused by U.S. President Donald Trump to traditional security and trade alliances.
Since taking office last year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has prioritized rebuilding relations with the EU, focusing initially on defence and security, areas where the UK maintains strong capabilities. This approach could pave the way for cooperation in other sectors, though Starmer must balance it with ongoing efforts to secure a trade deal with the United States that would reduce import tariffs.
Starmer is set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in London on Thursday. Both UK and EU officials are optimistic about finalizing a defence agreement at a summit scheduled for May 19. According to German Ambassador Miguel Berger, the summit will also explore broader cooperation in areas like energy, food standards, fisheries, and youth mobility, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape.
The UK continues to manage the challenges of Brexit and shifting global trade dynamics. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is in Washington meeting U.S. officials to push for lower tariffs without compromising UK standards, especially in food and automotive sectors.
Britain is also aiming to participate in the EU’s €150 billion rearmament fund, which could boost companies like BAE Systems and open up opportunities for joint defence projects. Starmer has expressed hopes for closer collaboration in military logistics, technology, and industrial efforts.
As part of closer EU ties, European leaders may also push for youth mobility agreements—letting young Europeans work and live in the UK, a move that could stir controversy among Brexit supporters. Over 60 Labour MPs have supported a youth visa plan for citizens under 30.
The UK is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining long-term control over the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian officials are expected to formalize the deal in a virtual ceremony this week.
In the year the UN marks 100 years of quantum mechanics, Britain mirrors its paradox: neither fully in nor out of the EU. Trade, travel, and defence bind it to the bloc, despite Brexit. As Starmer seeks closer ties, the UK faces endless negotiations between sovereignty and economic need.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled a U-turn on upcoming winter fuel payment cuts by ensuring more pensioners are approved. Figures revealed inflation rose to 3.5% in April.
The EU and UK unveiled new sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow oil fleet and financial networks, acting independently of the US after talks failed to yield a Ukraine ceasefire.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apologised to Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts for being "overly rude" during Prime Minister’s Questions last week.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival kicked off in Istanbul with Azerbaijan’s 100-member team and famed Karabakh horses drawing major attention.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Baku hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the UN’s GlobE Network, gathering anti-corruption officials from 92 countries to strengthen global cooperation and chart the network’s next steps.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
Meta has signed another major solar energy agreement, acquiring 650 megawatts (MW) of clean power capacity across Kansas and Texas to support the rapid expansion of its AI-driven data centers, the company confirmed Thursday.
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Thursday that tariffs were a key point of discussion during the G7 finance ministers’ meeting, despite the issue being omitted from the final communique.
Northern France sees major farmer protests as key agricultural reforms face parliamentary review, sparking road blockades and rising tensions.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival kicked off in Istanbul with Azerbaijan’s 100-member team and famed Karabakh horses drawing major attention.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Baku hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the UN’s GlobE Network, gathering anti-corruption officials from 92 countries to strengthen global cooperation and chart the network’s next steps.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment