An agreement between London and Brussels was finalized at the very last minute on the morning of Monday, May 19, just before the start of the first post-Brexit summit between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) at Lancaster House, a neoclassical palace a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, in London. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will welcome European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas and European Council President Antonio Costa for a meeting aimed at solidifying the "reset" of relations between his country and the continent, a promise the Labour leader made to the British people upon arriving at Downing Street in July 2024.

After years of tension, his government is seeking an economic rapprochement with the EU to mitigate the negative effects of Brexit. Starmer also secured a security and defense pact, demonstrating the UK's role as a nuclear power committed to the security of Europe at a time when the American protective shield is uncertain.

Relations between London, Brussels and other European capitals have undeniably improved in recent months. Starmer even initiated, with French President Emmanuel Macron, a "coalition of the willing" – a group of countries ready to increase their military aid to Ukraine to secure a hypothetical ceasefire with Russia.

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