Brussels remains deeply scarred by the Brexit negotiations, according to the EU's top diplomat, who cautioned against rushing into a new era of UK-EU relations. Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made the remarks during a meeting with UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting in Brussels on Monday, as both sides prepare for a summit on 20 November.
Streeting also held talks with EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, before travelling to Berlin to meet German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The discussions come as the UK government, under newly elected Prime Minister Andy Burnham, seeks to rebuild ties with the bloc after years of friction.
Step-by-step approach
Kallas acknowledged that many in the EU institutions still carry the psychological weight of the Brexit process, which was marked by bitter disputes over citizens' rights, the Irish border, and the final divorce settlement. "There's a lot of traumatised people in Brussels over Brexit," she said. "These negotiations will be difficult, and we are not there yet."
She argued that the relationship should develop gradually, with both sides focusing on practical areas of cooperation before entertaining more ambitious projects. "What I think is important is we want to have deeper relationship because you are very close, and we are stronger together but let's move step by step," Kallas added.
Streeting echoed that sentiment, cautioning against getting ahead of the debate on the UK's potential return to the EU. He praised Burnham for what he called a "courageous" decision to reopen the discussion, given the political sensitivities surrounding Brexit. "There's no doubt leaving the EU hit our economy and we're not as strong as we might have been," Streeting said.
Defence cooperation and Ukraine
The talks in Brussels focused heavily on Russia's continued aggression across Europe, including hybrid attacks, and the continent's growing responsibility for providing military support to Ukraine. Both sides addressed the future of Europe's defence industrial base, with Streeting arguing that the continent needed to significantly expand its industrial capacity.
However, he warned against the EU adopting a protectionist approach that could undermine its own objectives. His comments were directed in part at the bloc's proposed "Made in Europe" industrial drive, which seeks to prioritise European manufacturers across key sectors, including defence. The UK is currently outside that initiative because it is no longer part of the EU's single market.
The UK has also opted out of the EU's €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence loan scheme, after failing to agree on an estimated €4 billion to €6 billion entry fee. London sources said at the time that the cost did not represent value for money. The decision has left the UK on the sidelines of a major EU defence financing mechanism, even as it seeks closer cooperation.
Streeting's visit comes ahead of the EU-UK summit, which is attracting particular attention following Burnham's pledge to rebuild relations with the EU, including through greater cooperation on trade, education, energy and defence. Burnham has also refused to rule out negotiations on the UK's potential return as a full member of the EU.
Despite a willingness in Brussels to see closer UK-EU integration, and potentially entertain talks for the UK to return, there is a strong consensus that reopening membership negotiations would be lengthy and politically divisive. The divisions within British society over Brexit, as well as the cumbersome experience for Europeans, remain significant obstacles.
Streeting welcomed the prime minister's decision to embark on a "courageous conversation with the European Commission, member states as well as the British people." He stressed that defence cooperation and support for Ukraine were immediate priorities, but that the broader relationship would need time to heal.
As Europe faces a more assertive Russia and growing security challenges, the EU and UK are exploring ways to work together without reopening old wounds. The November summit will be a test of whether both sides can move beyond the trauma of Brexit and build a pragmatic partnership for the future.
