The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas, and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting co-chaired the security and defence part of the EU–UK Foreign and Security Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 2 November.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the evolving European and international security environment and to discuss how the European Union and the United Kingdom can further strengthen their cooperation in addressing common challenges, ahead of the upcoming EU–UK Summit on 20 November.
Discussions covered developments in European security and defence, including defence spending, capabilities and defence industry, as well as the United Kingdom’s national security and defence priorities. Both sides also addressed the implementation of the EU–UK Security and Defence Partnership and discussed its future development, with a particular focus on translating the partnership into concrete cooperation. They highlighted the importance of further joint work on countering hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), as well as on crisis management.
Support for Ukraine and continued pressure on Russia featured prominently on the agenda. The exchange addressed the Ukraine Support Loan and Russia’s shadow fleet, in the context of ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and respond to Russia’s war of aggression.
The HR/VP and the UK Defence Secretary also exchanged views on maritime security, reflecting the importance of continued dialogue and coordination on international security challenges.
Strengthening EU–UK security and defence cooperation
The EU–UK Security and Defence Partnershipestablished at the first EU–UK Summit in May 2025, provides a framework for closer cooperation on foreign, security and defence policy. It supports dialogue and cooperation across a range of areas, including crisis management, maritime security, cyber resilience and hybrid threats.
The Foreign and Security Policy Dialogue is an important opportunity for the EU and the United Kingdom to assess developments, identify shared priorities and explore further avenues for cooperation. Under the EU–UK Security and Defence Partnership, the Foreign and Security Policy Dialogue takes place between the HR/VP, the UK Foreign Secretary and the UK Defence Secretary.
The discussions in Brussels on 2 November reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement in strengthening European security.
Source: www.eeas.europa.eu
