British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his intention to resume previously stalled negotiations regarding the United Kingdom's participation in the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense fund.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media outlets, that the move signals a strategic shift in London's post-Brexit defense cooperation with Brussels.
"We must participate more and do more. It is not only US President Donald Trump who believes Europe should do more; other leaders think so too. I think so as well. I truly believe that in terms of spending, potential, and cooperation, we must do more together. I have expressed my view, and this means we must look at SAFE and other mechanisms to cooperate more closely," the British Prime Minister stated.
Starmer expressed optimism that progress could be achieved in fostering closer security ties with the European Union. However, the path to integration remains complex. In November 2025, Bloomberg reported that previous discussions regarding London's entry into the SAFE fund had failed. According to agency sources, the primary obstacle remains a lack of agreement on the scale of the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the initiative.
The SAFE program is designed to streamline European defense procurement and enhance collective security capabilities across the continent. As geopolitical tensions rise, the UK's involvement is seen as a critical step in bolstering NATO's European pillar. The renewed push for cooperation comes as US President Donald Trump continues to urge European allies to increase their defense spending and take greater responsibility for regional security, a sentiment now echoed by the leadership in London.
