Archive: https://archive.is/2025.03.11-061334/https://www.ft.com/content/b51365f9-a58b-497d-919b-9c5c279f75a4

The EU should create “concrete” defence co-operation with the UK, including defence industry collaboration and initiatives such as possible joint military exercises, 20 of the EU’s 27 capitals have said, as the bloc scrambles to recalibrate its relations with London in light of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Context: Trump’s threats to withdraw security guarantees to European Nato allies and his move to stop support to Ukraine and reestablish ties with Russia have spooked the continent’s capitals, and forced intense discussions on a “coalition of the willing” — co-led by France and the UK — to aid Kyiv and increase European defence capabilities.

“The United Kingdom stands out as one of the EU’s key partners — as many of our priorities in foreign and security policy align — and in this severe security context closer co-operation is an imperative,” states a position paper written by the 20 countries including Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, and seen by the FT. “The EU and UK work together to strengthen transatlantic security.”