UK Hopes of Quick EU Defense Deal Fade on Weapons Fund Access
Britain has been hoping to join the fund, which would allow member states to use EU loans to place orders with UK companies, as well as their own.
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The UK’s limited access to the European Union’s new €150 billion ($162 billion) weapons fund has raised concern in London that Prime Minister Keir Starmer won’t be able to secure a breakthrough defense pact with Brussels by May.
While the UK has sought to seal a preliminary security deal at a “reset summit” in London two months from now, talks could become protracted as a result of the EU’s decision this week to initially allow member states and just a few other countries to directly join the armament fund — but not the UK.
