British troops could join EU forces under new security pact

The UK and EU are set to reveal a wide-ranging defense and security pact that could reportedly see British and European soldiers fighting together and ensure military materials and equipment can move quickly across the continent. It's part of package of agreements between the UK and Brussels expected to be unveiled at a major summit in London on May 19.

Leaders are also hoping to announce new deals in various other sectors, including animal health and fisheries. The security pact will warn the bloc and Britain are facing a "decisive moment", with Russia's war in Ukraine and espionage and sabotage campaign in the West representing the "greatest threat in a generation", reports.

It's expected to say that a "unique and ambitious" new agreement on security will be neccessary due to the "seriousness" of the challenge Europe is confronted with.

It comes as UK Prime Minister seeks to make good on his long-term goal of resetting Britain's trade and security relationship with the EU.

The deal will bring the UK into its closest alignment with the bloc since it left the European Union in 2020, and even set out a mechanism for the UK to take part in internal EU meetings.

The agreement could see the EU confirming that it is open to the UK taking part in its common security and defence policy (CSDP), the current defence and crisis management branch of the EU, and will allow Britain to participate in EU crisis management exercises.

The CSDP was set up to allow member states to combine their security and defence efforts when neccessary and work on common goals including, among others, humanitarian and rescue missions, conflict prevention and peacekeeping, and joint disarmament operations.

But though it can deploy European troops, this cannot be done without the member state's agreement, according to .

According to the newspaper, the deal formally paves the way for closer co-operation between both sides, whilst providing a means of the UK and the EU working jointly in the event that action by NATO was blocked by Washington.

US President Donald Trump has cast doubt on Washington's commitment to European security since he began his second term in January, prompting urgent action from leaders in Europe to increase defense spending and present a united front to deter Russia's aggression.

Under the deal "strategic consultations" in "areas of joint interest" will reportedly be held every six months involving the UK foreign secretary David Lammy and EU high representative, Kaja Kallas. These will address areas like Russia, the western Balkans and east Asia.

However British defence companies won't be given an automatic right to take part in a new €150 billion EU rearmament fund, with participation dependent on negotiation, conditions, and Britain contributing financially.

The deal's preable, seen by The Times, warns: "The UK and the EU share a responsibility for the security of Europe. The security and prosperity of the UK and the EU are also closely interconnected and interdependent.

"The seriousness of the challenges we face calls for a unique and ambitious security and defence relationship between the UK and the EU.

"In this context, the EU and the UK have decided to establish and implement a tailor-made, mutually beneficial Security and Defence Partnership that will frame their overall co-operation across the security and defence spectrum."