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<\/p>\nThe first EU-UK summit since Brexit over five years ago moved Britain closer to the EU, but without crossing any well-known Brexit red lines such as rejoining the EU\u2019s customs union or single market.<\/p>\n
The May 19 meeting in London came as one of the most prominent Brexiteers, Nigel Farage, and his populist Reform UK party top some public opinion polls in Britain.<\/p>\n
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In the end the two sides agreed on three documents in the British capital — a so-called \u201ccommon understanding,\u201d a joint statement, and a Security and Defense Partnership (SDP).<\/p>\n
While most attention among diplomats and in the media in the run-up to the meeting was thorny issues such as access to British fishing waters for EU vessels and agriproducts from the UK entering the bloc\u2019s internal market, one of the dominant aspects of the new partnership is closer foreign policy alignment.<\/p>\n
The common threat, Russia, is clearly underlined in the agreed documents. <\/p>\n
The Security and Defense Partnership states that \u201cthe European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) face a volatile and increasingly challenging security environment in Europe and in its broader neighborhood, as demonstrated by Russia\u2019s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. <\/p>\n
Russia attempts to change unilaterally, by force, the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine and the security order in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SDP mainly outlines more diplomatic cooperation between London and Brussels such as the increased presence of the British foreign minister and other diplomats in various EU meetings and working groups. <\/p>\n
The signing of the document does, however, pave the way for the participation of British arms companies in the EU\u2019s new 150-billion-euro rearmament fund.<\/p>\n
The joint statement that also was signed off in London is clearer on potential future measures both in support of Ukraine and how to counter the Kremlin. <\/p>\n
While not clearly stated, the United Kingdom and the EU both appear dismissive of the idea that the new US administration has been floating such as sanctions relief for Moscow and the need for Ukraine to give up territory under Russian occupation to achieve peace.<\/p>\n
The document states that \u201cwe remain ready to continue to exert pressure on Russia, including through further sanctions and taking measures to prevent their circumvention, sectoral measures and caps on oil prices, and by ensuring that Russian Sovereign Assets remain immobilized until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war.\u201d<\/p>\n
The European Union foreign ministers on May 20 agreed to another round of sanctions<\/strong><\/a> against Russia and the bloc is mulling more measures if Moscow isn\u2019t engaging constructively with Kyiv in cease-fire or peace talks. These measures would also be coordinated with the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n The text is also clear in not recognizing Russian annexation of occupied territories: \u201cwe work closely to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that assures Ukraine\u2019s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.\u201d<\/p>\n