French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on March 27. The meeting will focus on strengthening the “coalition of volunteers,” a group of countries committed to providing security guarantees for Ukraine in case of a ceasefire. While France and the UK, the only nuclear-armed democracies in Europe, aim to present a united front in supporting Ukraine, deep tensions between the two nations remain unresolved.
Exclusion of British Defense Firms from EU Contracts
A major source of friction between France and the UK is the European Commission’s recent decision to exclude British defense firms from a €150 billion EU rearmament plan. This plan, proposed by Brussels on March 19, aims to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities. The exclusion of British firms stems from a “European preference” clause pushed by France, which seeks to reduce the EU’s reliance on non-EU military suppliers and direct funding toward French defense companies.
This decision has sparked criticism in the UK. Andrew Neil, a conservative commentator, accused France of prioritizing protectionism over European security. He argued that the UK has the only defense industry in Europe capable of competing with France. This exclusion has fueled anti-French sentiment in Britain and highlighted the lingering divisions between the two countries since Brexit.
Despite the current restrictions, British firms may still gain limited access to the EU’s defense contracts if the UK and EU negotiate a security and defense partnership. According to French officials, such a partnership is part of broader efforts to reset post-Brexit relations. However, progress on this front remains uncertain due to additional French demands.
France’s Preconditions for a Security Deal
France has made it clear that any defense partnership with the UK will depend on resolving other political and economic issues. A key French demand is an extension of current fishing rights for European fleets in British waters beyond 2026. The French government wants to ensure that European, particularly French, fishermen maintain access to these waters.
This fishing dispute has been a long-standing source of tension since Brexit. A British government source told The Sunday Times that Europe’s need for British defense capabilities outweighs France’s need for additional fishing rights. However, France remains firm in linking defense cooperation to fishing access, complicating negotiations.
Other unresolved issues include migration, energy cooperation, and youth mobility. Starmer remains cautious about reopening discussions on free movement or rejoining the EU market, which limits the scope for deeper UK-EU cooperation. This stance reflects his commitment to respecting the outcome of the Brexit referendum while maintaining a working relationship with the EU.
Broader European Concerns
France’s hesitation to support a defense deal with the UK reflects broader frustrations within the EU. Some European officials are frustrated by the UK’s lack of clear demands and unwillingness to adjust its negotiating position. Zach Meyers, a research director at the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE), noted that many EU member states see the UK as reluctant to engage fully with the bloc.
There are also concerns that the UK is aligning more closely with US policies, particularly under the threat of new trade tariffs from a potential Trump administration. This perception has weakened the UK’s standing within the EU and raised doubts about its long-term commitment to European security.
Limited Prospects for Deepening UK-EU Ties
While Macron and Starmer are working to strengthen their alliance on Ukraine, deeper UK-EU cooperation remains unlikely in the near term. The combination of defense industry competition, fishing rights, and broader political tensions limits the potential for a major reset in relations.
For now, France and the UK will continue to collaborate on security issues related to Ukraine. However, until both sides address underlying economic and political differences, tensions between the two nations are likely to persist.
This article is originally published on lemoci.com
