The United Kingdom agreed to the largest deal with the European Union since Brexit.
“Reaffirming our shared values and our commitment to deeper cooperation against the backdrop of an evolving and complex global geopolitical landscape, we agreed a new Strategic Partnership between the UK and EU,” a joint statement from the UK-EU Summit 2025 says.
The document describes partnering for defense interests, economic stability, condemning Russia for its ongoing war with Ukraine, and supporting the Republic of Moldova’s sovereignty.
“In line with our shared security interests, we attach particular importance to collaboration on defence. For the UK and those EU Member States who are NATO Allies, NATO remains the cornerstone of their collective defence,” the document notes. “Our aim will be to help deliver on our capability targets, including through our defence industries, more quickly and economically and with enhanced interoperability in ways that deliver mutual benefit and reinforce the European contribution to NATO.”
“It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people,” said UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer. “We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home. So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation. Building the relationships we choose, with the partners we choose, and closing deals in the national interest. Because that is what independent, sovereign nations do.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Minister for European Union Relations, called the development a “historic day” and a “new chapter” in the UK’s relationship with the EU.
The agreement also includes protection for Britain’s fishing access, supporting coastal communities, reducing illegal immigration, a £150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense fund, and energy and business initiatives.
