Von der Leyen and Starmer talk power, politics, and a post-Brexit reset at London Energy Summit

With global energy challenges mounting and political tensions shifting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in London this week for the Future of Energy Security summit — and a pivotal meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer that could mark a turning point in EU-UK relations.
Held in the heart of London and co-hosted by the UK and the International Energy Agency, the summit buzzed with global urgency. But all eyes were on the sidelines, where von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met face-to-face for the first time this year — a symbolic moment ahead of the historic first EU-UK summit slated for May 19.

Power Plays and Political Currents

Their tête-à-tête, held just after 4 p.m. Brussels time, focused on rebooting the EU-UK relationship through shared interests: climate, energy, and security. Gone are the heated Brexit rows (for now); in their place is a cautious alignment driven by global upheaval — from the war in Ukraine to Washington’s trade turbulence.

Von der Leyen’s Vision: North Sea as Europe’s Green Powerhouse

Taking the stage at the summit, von der Leyen laid out an ambitious vision for Europe’s energy future — and the North Sea is at the heart of it. “Our future is renewable,” she said. “The North Sea will be the beating heart of Europe’s clean energy revolution.”

She highlighted Europe’s break from Russian fossil fuels, noting that renewables now power 47% of EU electricity — with solar and wind leading the charge. She also warned of new threats, from cyberattacks to raw material shortages, urging countries to build alliances, build interconnections, and build resilience.

Her proposals included tighter cooperation with African nations, bolstering supply chains, and streamlining cross-border infrastructure for green energy.

A Deal in the Making?

While energy was the summit’s main theme, geopolitics wasn’t far behind. Talks between Starmer and von der Leyen reportedly touched on a long-anticipated defense pact — a potential game-changer that could see the UK join the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defense initiative. The catch? Only countries with formal security ties to the EU can join. That agreement may be inked as early as next month.

Also on the agenda: linking the UK and EU carbon trading systems, a move that would sync climate goals and boost energy trade.

The event also drew a cast of global heavyweights: EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Ukraine’s energy chief German Galushchenko, and Egypt’s Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi. From renewables to resilience, their message was clear: energy security is now a global race — and cooperation is key.

The Verdict: A Reset, But Not a Reunion

Starmer’s government may not be racing back into Brussels’ arms, but this recent dialogue signaled a new era of pragmatic partnership. The scars of Brexit remain, but with shared threats mounting, the old rivals are finding new reasons to work together.

As von der Leyen closed her speech, she issued a rallying cry: “Energy security is not just about supply — it’s about sovereignty, solidarity, and sustainability. And the time to act is now.”