"Successful and productive summit": Starmer underlines support for Ukraine after EPC summit The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said that “we’ve had a very successful and productive summit.” “We discussed once again our commitment to stand with Ukraine, a very important commitment made again today, including supporting their energy needs ahead of winter – so getting ahead of this winter – and cracking down on the ships that are helping Russia to evade sanctions,” he said. “Ukraine is fighting not just for the Ukrainian people, though of course it is, but for the European people,” he said. “We pledged to president Zelenskiy once again that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the prime minister added. The leaders, Starmer said, also discussed wider European security, including support for countries such as Moldova. “It’s not just a good idea to work with our partners – it’s essential,” he stressed. Summary of the day Leaders from across Europe gathered at Blenheim Palace for a European Political Community summit. Keir Starmer opened the summit underlining the bond of trust that brightens the fabric of European life. He added that the UK “will never leave the European Convention of Human Rights”. After the gathering, the British leader said that the leaders pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Starmer also said that “we are going to deepen our cooperation on defence and security, and on illegal migration, where we are resetting our approach.” He added that “we are going to work with our European partners to share intelligence, data, expertise, and put the gangs out of business.” The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said that the arrival of Starmer brings “new momentum” to tackle political issues. Irish prime minister Simon Harris said the decisions made by Keir Starmer in his 14 days in office are a “gamechanger” for Europe. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said “joint efforts are needed for the sake of peace … When the aggressor loses, the world wins.” He also asked if Europe will “surrender” to “tyrants” and rounded on Viktor Orbán’s self-styled peace mission and meetings with Putin and Trump, calling them a betrayal of Europe. Rachel Reeves has warned she will have to make “difficult decisions” as she seeks to “fix the foundations” of the public finances. The chancellor is will announce the date of her first budget before the Commons summer recess, as well as an assessment of the “spending inheritance” left behind by the Conservatives. Whether the UK would accept some asylum seekers in exchange for returning some migrants to the EU is not under discussion at the EPC summit, Yvette Cooper has said. The home secretary said the focus is “around security” and “organised immigration crime” when pressed repeatedly on what a potential UK-EU migrants return deal could entail. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has said that the arrival of Keir Starmer brings “new momentum” to tackle political issues, Reuters reported. He also said he hopes for improvement in the migration situation. Dick Schoof, the Dutch prime minister, said he “spoke to my European counterparts about how we need to gain more control over migration.” “We can reduce the influx by strengthening the EU’s external borders and improving the process of returning failed asylum seekers. We stressed the importance of partnerships with third countries to reduce irregular migration,” he added. Asked about the economy, Starmer said: “I’ve been pretty explicit here and previously that we want to seek a reset with our relationship with Europe.” “The impression I get is that there’s a real appetite for that,” he added. Yes, we do want to get a better deal than the deal that we’ve got at the moment. We understand the challenge and constraints of any discussion, of course we do. But I do think there’s a closer relationship to be had, that includes trade, that includes education and research, and includes security. “I’m proud to leave this summit with stronger relationships across Europe,” Starmer said at his press conference. Starmer announces new funding for projects in Africa and the Middle East Starmer said that “we’re increasing the UK presence at Europol in the Hague” and agreed new cooperation arrangements with countries such as Slovenia and Slovakia. “We are going to work with our European partners to share intelligence, data, expertise, and put the gangs out of business,” he said, adding that “to stop illegal migration, we must also tackle it at source.” “Today I’m announcing 84 million pounds of new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East – that includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities and access to education,” he said. UK "resetting" approach on illegal migration, Starmer says Keir Starmer also congratulated Ursula von der Leyen, who was confirmed by the European parliament today for a second term at the helm of the European Commission. “We are going to deepen our cooperation on defence and security, and on illegal migration, where we are resetting our approach – and that’s been central today. We are going to smash the gangs, break their business model, and secure our borders,” he said. "Successful and productive summit": Starmer underlines support for Ukraine after EPC summit The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said that “we’ve had a very successful and productive summit.” “We discussed once again our commitment to stand with Ukraine, a very important commitment made again today, including supporting their energy needs ahead of winter – so getting ahead of this winter – and cracking down on the ships that are helping Russia to evade sanctions,” he said. “Ukraine is fighting not just for the Ukrainian people, though of course it is, but for the European people,” he said. “We pledged to president Zelenskiy once again that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the prime minister added. The leaders, Starmer said, also discussed wider European security, including support for countries such as Moldova. “It’s not just a good idea to work with our partners – it’s essential,” he stressed. Watch live: Keir Starmer speaks after European Political Community summit Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s socialist prime minister, has posted a photo with the UK’s Keir Starmer. “The drive of two progressive executives will bring greater prosperity for our citizens. The deep ties we share are an example of what the new relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU can become,” Sánchez said. Kaja Kallas, who is expected to succeed Josep Borrell as the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, met with David Lammy. They discussed Ukraine and the Middle East. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said that “we discussed how malign actors manipulate information to weaken our democracies & pollute people’s mind. We must keep exposing Kremlin’s lies, increase societal resilience.” “We will find no peace on the battlefield, but only at the negotiating table,” Hungary’s far right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said today as he attended the summit. “My goal is to convince European leaders to make a shift to a pro-peace policy,” he added. Orbán is the EU’s most Kremlin-friendly prime minister, and controversially travelled recently to Russia for a meeting with Vladimir Putin.