Liz Truss’s mind was probably elsewhere when she arrived in Prague for the inaugural summit of the European Political Community (EPC) today. After precipitating a financial panic, backtracking on tax reform plans, and seeing her approval rating plummet to -37 within a week, the Prime Minister has a lot on her plate. It would be a mistake, however, for the PM not to seize the opportunity to strengthen the leadership role the UK is currently enjoying among much of Central and Eastern Europe, and the Nordic states.
Despite its French DNA, the idea of an EPC is a sound one. There is an urgent need for an intergovernmental platform where EU members can engage with countries outside the bloc, especially those that are punching above their weight on the global stage: Ukraine (of course), the UK or Norway.
For all his flaws, it is Truss’ predecessor in No. 10, Boris Johnson, who deserves much of the credit for the high status the UK currently enjoys in the northeast of Europe, as well as in Ukraine itself. The new cabinet, including its foreign secretary, are committed to continuing to provide support to Ukraine. However, its domestic political turmoil does not bode well for the kind of role that Britain’s closest European partners would like it to play, providing a counterweight to the hesitant, self-deterring attitudes in Berlin and Paris.
For one, how strong the Prime Minister’s position is determines how much weight others can place on her promises. It is heartening to hear that James Cleverly is determined to ‘support (Ukraine) until the last Russian tank is dragged away by the last Ukrainian tractor’. Yet, he is unlikely to be in his job by the time that happens.
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