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Britain says talks to join EU defence fund have broken down

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 28, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Britain says talks to join EU defence fund have broken down
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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Friday that talks to join the European Union's defence fund SAFE had broken down, adding it would only agree something that is in the national interest and

UK-EU Defence Fund Negotiations Break Down Over Terms

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Friday that talks to join the European Union's defence fund SAFE had broken down, adding it would only agree something that is in the national interest and representing value for money.

"While it is disappointing that we have not been able to conclude discussions on UK participation in the first round of SAFE, the UK defence industry will still be able to participate in projects through SAFE on third country terms," said Nick Thomas-Symonds, Britain's minister for European Union Relations.

"Negotiations were carried out in good faith, but our position was always clear: we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest and provide value for money."

(Reporting by Alistair Smout and Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton)

Key Takeaways

  • UK's talks to join EU's SAFE defence fund have failed.
  • Britain prioritizes national interest and value for money.
  • UK defence industry can still participate on third country terms.
  • Negotiations were conducted in good faith.
  • UK remains open to future agreements that meet its criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EU defence fund?
The EU defence fund is a financial initiative by the European Union aimed at supporting the development of defence capabilities among member states through collaborative projects and investments.

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