The United Kingdom and the European Union have started talks aimed at restoring British participation in EU security missions, in a move that could see UK officials take part in crisis management operations for the first time since the country left the bloc.
If the negotiations succeed, it would mark a notable shift in post-Brexit relations, reversing a separation that removed the UK from aspects of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy. The proposed arrangement would enable closer operational cooperation between British personnel and EU-led missions responsible for crisis response and security assistance.
Officials on both sides have described the talks as technical and operational in nature, focusing on the legal and procedural framework required to allow UK participation. The discussions are expected to address how British involvement would work in practice, including command arrangements, information sharing and the legal status of personnel deployed alongside EU missions.
Analysts say the move could strengthen practical cooperation on shared security challenges, while also carrying political sensitivities given the broader context of the UKs post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Any agreement will require further negotiation and formalisation before UK officials could resume a role in EU crisis management activities.
The talks represent a renewed phase of engagement on security matters between London and Brussels, reflecting an interest on both sides in finding ways to work together on defence and crisis response despite wider disagreements over other aspects of their relationship.