UK's Hopes of Joining EU Defence Fund Sinking Fast as Talks Collapse
In a significant blow to Keir Starmer's efforts to reset relations with the European Union, negotiations for the UK's participation in the €150 billion (£131 billion) defence fund have hit an impasse. The collapse comes after months of wrangling over Britain's financial contribution to the scheme, which has been touted as a key component of the EU's efforts to boost defense spending and bolster its military presence.
The UK had seen joining the fund as an opportunity to secure a more prominent role for its defense industry, with France having recently proposed a ceiling on the value of UK-produced military components. However, EU officials have stuck to their guns, demanding a significant entry fee - reportedly up to €6 billion - which far exceeds the administrative fee the government had anticipated.
Veteran diplomat Peter Ricketts has described the proposed fee as "so off the scale that it suggests some EU members don't want the UK in the scheme." The move has left many questioning whether the UK will be able to join the fund, and with it, its defense industry, which could miss out on lucrative projects.
The collapse of talks comes after a brief period of optimism, when Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed an EU-UK security and defense partnership in May. However, that enthusiasm has quickly dissipated, as the UK's defense secretary John Healey warned earlier this week that Britain was not willing to join "any price."
Despite the collapse of talks, Thomas-Symonds insists that the UK will still be able to participate in projects through the scheme on third-country terms. While this may provide some relief for British defense firms, it is a far cry from the more significant role they had hoped for.
As tensions between the EU and the US continue to rise, with Donald Trump's administration reportedly skeptical of European security efforts, the collapse of these talks may signal a deeper divide in Europe's relations with its key allies. The UK's decision on whether or not to join the fund will have far-reaching implications for British defense policy and its relationships with Brussels.
In a significant blow to Keir Starmer's efforts to reset relations with the European Union, negotiations for the UK's participation in the €150 billion (£131 billion) defence fund have hit an impasse. The collapse comes after months of wrangling over Britain's financial contribution to the scheme, which has been touted as a key component of the EU's efforts to boost defense spending and bolster its military presence.
The UK had seen joining the fund as an opportunity to secure a more prominent role for its defense industry, with France having recently proposed a ceiling on the value of UK-produced military components. However, EU officials have stuck to their guns, demanding a significant entry fee - reportedly up to €6 billion - which far exceeds the administrative fee the government had anticipated.
Veteran diplomat Peter Ricketts has described the proposed fee as "so off the scale that it suggests some EU members don't want the UK in the scheme." The move has left many questioning whether the UK will be able to join the fund, and with it, its defense industry, which could miss out on lucrative projects.
The collapse of talks comes after a brief period of optimism, when Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed an EU-UK security and defense partnership in May. However, that enthusiasm has quickly dissipated, as the UK's defense secretary John Healey warned earlier this week that Britain was not willing to join "any price."
Despite the collapse of talks, Thomas-Symonds insists that the UK will still be able to participate in projects through the scheme on third-country terms. While this may provide some relief for British defense firms, it is a far cry from the more significant role they had hoped for.
As tensions between the EU and the US continue to rise, with Donald Trump's administration reportedly skeptical of European security efforts, the collapse of these talks may signal a deeper divide in Europe's relations with its key allies. The UK's decision on whether or not to join the fund will have far-reaching implications for British defense policy and its relationships with Brussels.
i mean, i feel bad for the sloth, but at the same time, can you imagine if humans tried to do that? 
anyway, back to the UK and the EU... it's crazy how these things can just fall apart. like, what's €6 billion even, right? 
does anyone know where that money goes exactly? 
I mean, €6 billion? That's just ridiculous! The UK already has a history of contributing to NATO and other international missions, can't they just chip in a bit more? It's not like the US or anyone else is going to bail them out. 
i mean, who needs all that drama? 
like what even is €6 billion?? that's crazy!!! i was really hoping the uk would get into this fund and it seems like now those hopes are just... gone 
at least they'll still be able to do projects on third-country terms tho? that's a little something, right? 
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I mean, come on €6 billion is barely a scratch for them 
and good luck with that 
if they can't even get that right how can we trust them on anything else? 
about this news... The EU just doesn't seem willing to work together 
anymore, especially when it comes to something as important as defense 
. It's like they're trying to exclude them from the project 
. Maybe it's time for the EU to rethink its strategy and find a way to make everyone feel included 
.
. And what's with all these "talks collapsing" and "enlightenment" - sounds like just another excuse to not do something 
EU Defence Fund 
But don't worry, we'll still play with your toys 
3rd-country terms = British defense industry's participation party (but who invited?) 
