Plus, UK defence secretary left open the door to Britain providing more military support to Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Houthis. “It’s really important that the UK is seen by our friends and allies as a partner that shows up when help is needed . . . We’ll continue to work closely with our friends in Saudi to understand their needs and requirements,” he said. Streeting added, however, that “what we don’t want to do is get dragged into the war”, and stressed that a “diplomatic resolution” rather than a “military route” was the only way to end the conflict.

Streeting also warned that the EU’s Made in Europe rules, intended to boost the bloc’s manufacturers, could make Nato “collectively weaker” by undermining economic co-operation. He urged the bloc not to use Made in Europe to curb British companies’ participation in its weapons purchases, a message he made to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, and Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s commissioner for defence, in meetings last week. “We’ve got to hold true to the strength of our alliance through the economic lens as well as the military lens,” Streeting said, also highlighting the impact of “America First” protectionism.

EXCL: Britain and Russia should seek fresh lines of communication to avert the “risk of miscalculation” arising from Moscow’s “state-sponsored terrorism”, UK defence secretary has urged. Wes Streeting said in an interview with the @FT: “We have our embassy in Moscow. That is an important channel . . . I would much prefer there to be additional channels too, particularly military-to-military level.” Speaking out as the UK has fallen behind allies such as France and Germany in its political and diplomatic lines of contact with Vladimir Putin’s regime, he added: “There is always a risk of miscalculation and that’s why having that direct communication is important.”

Excl: Britain to host Zelenskyy for a state visit next year, to signal the strength of the UK’s long-term commitment to Kyiv. The plan poses a diplomatic challenge for Whitehall and Palace officials, who are brainstorming how to create a programme appropriate for a wartime leader. Govt figures said the conundrum was working out how to avoid the lavish banquets, gilded carriages and other opulent flourishes that tend to be the hallmark of state visits to Britain, while ensuring the occasion is still visually arresting and impactful. King Charles, who as head of state would be Zelenskyy’s formal host, is enthusiastic and open-minded about creative proposals for the agenda, the people added. The fifth anniv of start of the Ukraine conflict, which has already lasted longer than WWI, looms next year. Zelenskyy has made more than a dozen trips to UK since Feb 2022, and is expected to be invited to the G20 in Manchester next Nov. But a separate state visit would hold special significance. “What’s very important is showing that there is widespread, cross-party support — almost beyond politics — for Ukraine in this country,” said a UK govt figure. Showcasing national cohesion on the issue iss “crucial for the people of Ukraine to see, but also for the Russians to see”.

EXC: AI staff complain of mental toll over fears of threat of society Multiple staff at Britain’s AI Security Institute (AISI) have been signed off work with stress and are undergoing counselling Tight schedules for testing unreleased AI models, plus alarm over rapid rollout and growing capabilities of AI, have fuelled low morale and burnout at AISI, acc to four people with knowledge of the matter It’s part of a wider phenomenon across leading AI companies: staff at Anthropic, OpenAI and Google DeepMind have also publicly complained of similar issues, with many top researchers quitting due to the mental toll or coming to a belief that their work was unsafe for public release W/ @madhumita29

EXCL: UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank British officials are examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer Topic set to be on agenda when Burnham and Carney meet tomorrow, and Healey and his Canadian counterpart Champagne meet on Thurs w/ @IlyaGridneff & @PickardJE

AI: Is Britain prepared? On Political Fix this week @madhumita29, @greenmiranda, @robertshrimsley and I discuss tech doomerism, the UK-Israel reset, and the Met police probe into Reform… Out now! 🎙️📻🎧

Kemi Badenoch sharpens her attack on Andy Burnham as a “people pleaser” with weak leadership skills and a 1970s-obsessed politician “living in the past”. The Tory leader has sought to regain the front foot at the start of the parliamentary term, including via her frontbench shake up

Britain is cutting direct aid by more than 40% to a raft of fragile and conflict-hit states incl South Sudan, Somalia & Afghanistan Overall, Foreign Office appeared to reduce its total intl development spending last year by more than double its initial forecast

How will UK foreign policy change under Ed Miliband? Ex-energy secretary vows to reinvigorate climate diplomacy, stand up for the rule of law under his new values-rooted approach, and ‘nurture’ relationship with US Read more 👇