Starmer says Britain must get closer to the EU as Brussels ‘demands £1bn a year’ for his push to unwind Brexit

Keir Starmer today spoke of his push for closer ties with the EU, despite signs that Brussels is using its leverage to demand cash.

The Prime Minister is in Armenia for the European Political Community meeting and is meeting with his counterparts, including Emmanuel Macron.

Sir Keir, who attended the summit, said he wanted Britain to join the EU. £78bn loan to Ukraine

He suggested this would be a ‘very important’ step towards ‘resetting’ relations after Brexit and that critical negotiations would take place this summer.

But there are already concerns about what concessions the prime minister will make to establish deeper links with the bloc.

Sir Keir and Emmanuel Macron co-chaired a meeting on Ukraine this morning

Sources speaking to the Times stated that there was no possibility of the UK being “useless” and pointed out that Switzerland pays hundreds of millions of pounds a year for access to the single market.

Britain’s economy is nearly four times larger than Switzerland’s, meaning its annual contribution could exceed £1 billion.

Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: ‘Starmer is rolling back Brexit and planning another undemocratic coup against British taxpayers by signing us up to a £1 billion annual payment to the EU.

‘Once again, this weak Prime Minister goes to the negotiating table, returns home empty-handed, deceiving hard-pressed taxpayers with his appalling decisions.’

A Government spokesman said: ‘We will not comment on ongoing negotiations.’

The King’s Speech will propose legislation that would allow ministers to adopt EU single market rules without giving MPs the right to vote each time.

The government is investigating which sectors would benefit most from complying with Brussels rules, particularly chemicals, pharmaceuticals and automobiles.

Speaking to the media as he arrived at the European Political Community (EPC) summit, Sir Keir said: ‘Regarding the EU loan that we are discussing joining, this is very good for Ukraine because it will give Ukraine the capability it desperately needs in the fifth year of this conflict.

‘This is very good for the UK because of the talent that provides jobs in the UK.

‘And that’s also very good for UK-EU relations, which is very important as we continue to have various discussions.’

Sir Keir reiterated his desire for closer ties with the EU in an article in the Observer yesterday, saying of Brexit: ‘It has damaged our economy and there is no doubt in my mind where the national interests lie.

‘Britain must be at the heart of a stronger Europe in defence, security, energy and economy.’

Sir Keir and Mr Macron co-chaired a meeting on Ukraine.

Participants included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, NATO chief Mark Rutte, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and vice president Kaja Kallas, and European Council president Antonio Costa.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the first non-European country leader to join the EPC, also attended.

Sir Keir will tell his allies that Britain wants to work more closely with them to ensure Kiev receives the military equipment it needs to continue its fight against Russia.

Sir Keir underlines UK support for Ukraine at meeting in Armenia

Britain will impose further sanctions on Russian companies later this week in a bid to disrupt military supply chains, according to Downing Street.

Access to the credit initiative could create opportunities for British defense firms to compete for contracts under the programme.

Viktor Orban’s bid to join the programme, recently approved by the EU following his defeat in the Hungarian elections, ended a long-running stalemate.