Keir Starmer's European Diplomacy

Keir Starmer's recent visits to Paris and Berlin aim to enhance bilateral relations with key EU member states, focusing particularly on Germany. This approach marks a shift from traditional channels through Brussels, as Starmer seeks to negotiate a treaty centered on military and energy security. By prioritizing direct discussions with Germany rather than EU institutions, Starmer appears to be compartmentalizing issues of importance to the UK while minimizing engagement with the broader EU framework. This tactic could potentially streamline negotiations but also raises questions about long-term structural changes in the relationship between the UK and the EU.