By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 12:52 BST, 11 April 2025 | Updated: 12:52 BST, 11 April 2025

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The European Union 's top foreign affairs official mocked France today for using a row over fishing rights to block UK involvement in a new continental security pact. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, appeared to criticse the Macron government, which is insisting that a British pact with Brussels to help counter Russian aggression is linked to seafood quotas.

The European Union ‘s top foreign affairs official mocked France today for using a row over fishing rights to block UK involvement in a new continental security pact. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, appeared to criticse the Macron government, which is insisting that a British pact with Brussels to help counter Russian aggression is linked to seafood quotas. 

It has seen firms from the UK and other non-EU nations blocked from bidding for contracts in a new 150 billion euro joint defence fund. Asked about the impasse Ms Kallas told the BBC she was 'surprised how important fish are, considering the security situation'.

It has seen firms from the UK and other non-EU nations blocked from bidding for contracts in a new 150 billion euro joint defence fund. Asked about the impasse Ms Kallas told the BBC she was ‘surprised how important fish are, considering the security situation’.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme she said: 'I'm definitely pushing this from my side because I think the UK is a very important defence and security partner, it's the most logical defence and security partner that we have and it is a beneficial relationship for both sides.' And laughing, she added: 'I'm learning in this job … fish to the French they are very important.'

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme she said: ‘I’m definitely pushing this from my side because I think the UK is a very important defence and security partner, it’s the most logical defence and security partner that we have and it is a beneficial relationship for both sides.’ And laughing, she added: ‘I’m learning in this job … fish to the French they are very important.’

It came as the Defence Secretary urged Ukraine 's allies to 'look hard' at what more they can do to help Kyiv as the UK announced a £450 million 'surge' in military support. Paris is refusing to engage on the security pact unless Britain meets EU demands over fishing rights and a youth mobility deal. Many EU member states want guarantees they will continue to have the same level of access to UK fishing waters as under a current deal that expires in June next year.

It came as the Defence Secretary urged Ukraine ‘s allies to ‘look hard’ at what more they can do to help Kyiv as the UK announced a £450 million ‘surge’ in military support. Paris is refusing to engage on the security pact unless Britain meets EU demands over fishing rights and a youth mobility deal. Many EU member states want guarantees they will continue to have the same level of access to UK fishing waters as under a current deal that expires in June next year.

There is also a push for Sir Keir to cave in on a youth mobility scheme to give young Europeans greater freedom to come to the UK to study and work - and vice versa for young Britons. John Healey opened a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels this morning with a plea to his fellow defence ministers to 'step up our support for Ukraine in the fight'. He said: 'Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters.

There is also a push for Sir Keir to cave in on a youth mobility scheme to give young Europeans greater freedom to come to the UK to study and work – and vice versa for young Britons. John Healey opened a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels this morning with a plea to his fellow defence ministers to ‘step up our support for Ukraine in the fight’. He said: ‘Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters.

'And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do. 'All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow, because the Ukrainian armed forces must be their own strongest deterrent against further Russian attacks.'

‘And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do. ‘All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow, because the Ukrainian armed forces must be their own strongest deterrent against further Russian attacks.’

Friday's meeting at Nato headquarters is the 27th gathering of the UDCG and the second to be chaired by Mr Healey, bringing together defence ministers from 50 nations. It was co-chaired by German defence minister Boris Pistorius, who told the meeting that Ukraine had become 'the epicentre of a broader conflict, a conflict between freedom and oppression, between the recognition of global standards and aggressive imperialism, between democracy and authoritarianism'.

Friday’s meeting at Nato headquarters is the 27th gathering of the UDCG and the second to be chaired by Mr Healey, bringing together defence ministers from 50 nations. It was co-chaired by German defence minister Boris Pistorius, who told the meeting that Ukraine had become ‘the epicentre of a broader conflict, a conflict between freedom and oppression, between the recognition of global standards and aggressive imperialism, between democracy and authoritarianism’.

Previous meetings of the UDCG have been chaired by the US defence secretary, but in a sign of America's disengagement from European security, Mr Healey has taken over the duty since Donald Trump became president in January. However, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth attended Friday's meeting virtually, as did Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Previous meetings of the UDCG have been chaired by the US defence secretary, but in a sign of America’s disengagement from European security, Mr Healey has taken over the duty since Donald Trump became president in January. However, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth attended Friday’s meeting virtually, as did Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to travel to Poland on Friday for a meeting with EU finance ministers, at which she will call for deeper co-operation on defence funding. A Treasury source said: 'A strong economy needs a strong national defence. 'That is why the Chancellor will be travelling to Warsaw to make the case for deeper defence financing co-operation with our European allies so together we deliver greater economic and national security in a changed world.'

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to travel to Poland on Friday for a meeting with EU finance ministers, at which she will call for deeper co-operation on defence funding. A Treasury source said: ‘A strong economy needs a strong national defence. ‘That is why the Chancellor will be travelling to Warsaw to make the case for deeper defence financing co-operation with our European allies so together we deliver greater economic and national security in a changed world.’

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement of more support for Ukraine, but said it was 'small change' and urged the Government to seize Russian assets to provide more funding. Lib Dem defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire said: 'John Healey is right: 2025 is a critical year. But Britain needs to do more. 'The UK must lead the charge in seizing the Russian assets held here in Britain – funnelling oligarchs' money to back Zelensky's brave defence of Ukraine's sovereignty. Without that, we risk failing Ukraine in their hour of greatest need.'

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement of more support for Ukraine, but said it was ‘small change’ and urged the Government to seize Russian assets to provide more funding. Lib Dem defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire said: ‘John Healey is right: 2025 is a critical year. But Britain needs to do more. ‘The UK must lead the charge in seizing the Russian assets held here in Britain – funnelling oligarchs’ money to back Zelensky’s brave defence of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Without that, we risk failing Ukraine in their hour of greatest need.’

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Top EU diplomat blasts France for blocking UK defence deal

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