British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a bolder approach to rebuilding relations with the European Union, telling European Council President António Costa during a meeting on Sunday evening that the UK should build on existing security cooperation to collaborate more closely across all areas.
The two leaders met aboard a train bound for Kyiv, where they will mark Ukraine's Independence Day on Monday. During the same journey, Burnham discussed defence spending mechanisms with Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, including a UK-backed multilateral defence facility and a Canadian-supported defence bank.
The push follows a Brexit reset agreed under former prime minister Keir Starmer in 2025, though Burnham has ruled out rejoining the EU, customs union, or single market. A UK-EU summit scheduled for later this year is expected to advance discussions on the relationship. This marks Burnham's first international visit as prime minister.