Trump is coming, so we need a UK-EU security agreement fast

History shows Britain becoming more Europhile when a wild card is in the White House, writes Commission member Ben Martill.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked European nations into action. Amidst unprecedented solidarity, countries declared their steadfast support for Kyiv, providing weapons and finances. Civilian powers like Germany sought to become military powers, while neutral countries Sweden and Finland queued up to join NATO.

The invasion also prompted a rapprochement between the United Kingdom and the European Union after the difficulties of the Brexit negotiations. Britain’s decisive response to the crisis reminded Europeans of the UK’s indispensability to European security, while the EU’s emerging strategic role made Britain’s post-Brexit policy of “splendid isolation” appear foolhardy.

Read the full article by Ben Martill in the New European.

Ben is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations and Associate Director of the Europa Institute at the University of Edinburgh.