Overview

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer is close to finalizing a defence and security pact with the EU, granting British arms firms access to the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (Safe) fund.
• The UK has offered a multi-year fishing access deal and frozen quotas, marking a significant concession to secure the agreement.
• Dynamic regulatory alignment on food standards and carbon trading is under consideration to ease trade barriers with the EU.
• Starmer has reiterated unwavering support for Ukraine in talks with President Zelensky, aligning with broader European security goals.
• A UK-EU summit scheduled for May 19 in London is expected to finalize the defence pact and broader post-Brexit reset efforts.