Starmer Urges UK To Reopen EU Defense Talks

On February 2, 2026, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made headlines by urging the United Kingdom to reconsider its position on European defense cooperation. According to reporting from NOS, Starmer stated that the UK should reopen talks with the European Union about joining a defense pact, citing the growing international tensions that have put security at the forefront of European concerns. "Due to current international tensions, Europe needs to do more to strengthen its security," Starmer emphasized, making clear his belief that the continent must respond collectively to the shifting global landscape.

Starmer’s remarks come at a particularly charged moment in European politics. The past few years have seen the EU and the UK navigating a delicate dance of cooperation and separation since Brexit, which formally took effect in 2020. Yet, as global instability mounts and economic pressures intensify, both sides appear increasingly open to rekindling aspects of their partnership—especially when it comes to shared security interests.

The UK’s potential involvement in a European defense pact would mark a significant shift. Since leaving the EU, the UK has maintained a degree of strategic autonomy, often preferring to work through NATO or bilateral agreements rather than through EU-led initiatives. Starmer’s call to revisit talks signals a growing recognition that the challenges facing Europe—ranging from military threats to hybrid warfare and cyberattacks—may demand a more unified response than in the past.

Across the Channel, Starmer’s comments have found an attentive audience. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in an interview with The New Statesman, expressed that Spain "misses" the UK’s presence in the European project and would welcome renewed British membership in the EU should the country choose to pursue it. Sánchez’s remarks underscore the sense of loss many European leaders have felt since Brexit and their belief that the UK’s economic strength, diplomatic clout, and historical role in shaping European policy remain deeply valued.

Sánchez’s words are not just wistful nostalgia. They arrive at a time when EU-UK cooperation is being actively explored, with both sides seeking to address economic headwinds, geopolitical uncertainty, and the ever-present specter of security threats. According to The New Statesman, Sánchez stated, "Spain misses the United Kingdom’s presence in the European project and would support renewed UK membership if it chose that path." His comments reflect a growing willingness among some European leaders to look beyond the immediate fallout of Brexit and consider what a long-term relationship with the UK might look like.

Relations between Madrid and London, once fraught with tension in the wake of Brexit, have shown marked improvement over the past year. A major breakthrough came in 2025 with the resolution of the protracted dispute over Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory that has long been a point of contention between the two nations. The comprehensive agreement, struck between Spain, the UK, and the EU, eased regulatory uncertainties and made border crossings significantly smoother for residents and workers. This step, as reported by The New Statesman, paved the way for a more normalized relationship and demonstrated that pragmatic solutions are possible even after years of diplomatic gridlock.

Sánchez has long positioned himself as a champion of the European project, frequently highlighting the economic, political, and social gains Spain has enjoyed since joining the EU in the 1980s. He has argued that the EU functions best when its members act in concert, especially in the face of challenges like climate change, rapid technological shifts, and international instability. From this perspective, the absence of the UK is keenly felt. As Sánchez put it, the UK’s "economic strength, diplomatic influence, and long-standing role in European politics" make its absence all the more noticeable.

Despite these overtures, the prospect of the UK rejoining the EU remains remote for now. The political and legal hurdles are considerable, and there is little indication that a formal push for renewed membership is imminent. However, Spain’s open support for closer ties—and even potential re-accession—signals a shift in tone among some European leaders. It suggests a desire to move beyond the lingering resentments of Brexit and to focus instead on how the UK and EU might collaborate to tackle shared problems.

Starmer’s proposal to reengage on defense matters dovetails with this broader mood of cautious optimism. European security, once taken for granted, has become a pressing concern amid a backdrop of military conflicts, cyber threats, and the unpredictable actions of global powers. The idea of a European defense pact, with or without formal UK membership, is gaining traction as leaders seek to ensure the continent is not caught unprepared by future crises.

It’s worth noting that the conversation around UK-EU relations is no longer dominated by the bitterness of the Brexit negotiations. Instead, there’s a growing recognition that both sides stand to benefit from pragmatic cooperation—whether on defense, trade, or cross-border issues like Gibraltar. The 2025 agreement on Gibraltar, for instance, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when mutual interests are prioritized over old grievances.

Still, much remains uncertain. Will other EU leaders echo Spain’s openness to a renewed partnership with the UK? Is there sufficient political will in Britain to revisit its relationship with the EU, even in specific areas like defense? For now, these questions remain unanswered. Yet, the recent statements from Starmer and Sánchez have added a new dimension to the ongoing debate, suggesting that the story of UK-EU relations is far from over.

As Europe faces a turbulent world, the search for common ground—however tentative—continues. The rekindling of dialogue over defense and the softening of diplomatic rhetoric hint at the possibility of a more cooperative future. For now, leaders on both sides seem willing to at least entertain the idea that, in a world beset by shared challenges, old alliances might still have something vital to offer.