The EU–UK Summit on 19 May 2025 comes at a moment of profound geopolitical flux. With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, Europe and its allies face an increasingly unstable and unpredictable global landscape. Amid these shifting dynamics, the need for reliable, values-based partnerships has never been greater.

Set against this backdrop, next week’s long-awaited Summit in London represents a pivotal opportunity to reset and deepen the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK). Since Brexit, both sides have navigated a challenging period of adjustment, but recent momentum – reflected in constructive engagement and increased coordination – signals a turning point. The focus now is on forging a renewed strategic partnership rooted in mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a common commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

Top of the agenda is defence and security cooperation, with both sides hoping to formalise a landmark security pact. The Summit will also address other key areas including internal security and criminal justice, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, emissions trading systems, and youth mobility. As outlined by the European Council, this is not just a technical meeting – it is a strategic moment to bolster Europe’s internal and external resilience.

With European Council President António Costa, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative Kaja Kallas, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convening in London, the Summit will be a crucial test of the political will to move beyond post-Brexit tensions and toward a more forward-looking, cooperative future. As global threats intensify, reinforcing the UK–EU partnership will be essential to safeguarding peace, stability, and shared prosperity on both sides of the Channel.

Key texts:  

• European Commission: White Paper for European Defence
• European Parliament: Recommendation on strengthening the EU-UK partnership Resolution on the white paper on the future of European defence

Upcoming events:   

• 19 May: EU-UK Summit
• 26-27 June: European Council

European Movement International’s Position  

The upcoming EU–UK Summit marks a crucial opportunity to advance a renewed strategic partnership rooted in shared security priorities. At a time when Europe faces an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment – from Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine to global democratic backsliding and the uncertain direction of transatlantic relations – the imperative for deeper cooperation between the EU and the UK is undeniable.

In this context, the European Movement International (EMI) strongly supports the establishment of a formalised EU–UK security pact as a necessary step toward building a stronger and more resilient European security architecture. Defining the UK’s role in EU defence initiatives – such as the European Defence Agency (EDA) and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) – is essential to ensuring that it remains a close and integral partner in European defence, contributing meaningfully to stability across the continent. Such a pact should not only enable structured defence cooperation but also lay the groundwork for collaboration in key areas including crisis management, hybrid threats, cyber defence, and intelligence sharing. The UK remains a critical strategic ally with considerable capabilities, ranging from its nuclear deterrent to its extensive global diplomatic network. Its involvement is indispensable to any serious effort to reinforce collective European defence.

At the same time, this renewed partnership must be embedded within the broader vision of a fully-fledged European Defence Union (EDU). While external partnerships are essential, they should complement – not substitute – a coherent and integrated EU defence strategy. Strengthening the EU’s ability to act autonomously, when necessary, while maintaining robust ties with allies like the UK, is critical to navigating today’s multidimensional threats. This requires political will, coordinated investment, and inclusive decision-making based on democratic legitimacy and a common foreign policy vision.

Moreover, cooperation between the EU and the UK must extend beyond traditional defence into the domains of peacebuilding, soft power, and multilateral diplomacy. Initiatives such as PESCO’s military mobility demonstrate the potential of joint action, and this model should be expanded wherever feasible. Our collective security depends not only on capabilities but also on our shared commitment to the rules-based international order and the values that underpin it.