Andy Burnham is facing a significant demand to consider EU membership for Britain amid the unpredictability of Donald Trump and the US’s waning support for Ukraine.
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Relations between the US and Ukraine have dramatically deteriorated in recent weeks, with fears rising over the American President’s commitment to European security.
In a major intervention today, influential left-wing think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called Britain to make EU membership its goal, amid the “unreliability” of the US.
It follows a series of erratic moves from Mr Trump, including a surprise move on Friday to block a number of sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to come into force. Mr Zelensky on Saturday accused Mr Trump of rewarding and encouraging Vladimir Putin.
Russia and Ukraine continued to strike one another’s energy infrastructure over the weekend. Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in what has been described as one of its largest ever aerial bombardments. Smoke was seen billowing above Saint Petersburg on Sunday following air attacks on the city’s oil terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot. Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday said Russia had continued to bombard Ukraine overnight.
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The intensified action comes despite Mr Trump last week unveiling a supposed energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. At the time, Mr Zelensky said the President’s announcement had come as a surprise but that he’d honour it if Putin did. But after continued strikes, and worsening relations with the US, he later said: “The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done.”
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In a post on social media on Sunday, the Ukrainian President warned Mr Trump: “America should see that Russia is not taking any reciprocal steps in response to sanctions relief or agreements. On the contrary, they take every signal of an opportunity to make money as proof that their bet on war is paying off and they can keep fighting.”
On Saturday afternoon, Mr Zelensky said the American side had signalled that negotiations could take place next week. He said: “The American negotiating track will continue. We’re counting on them to put more pressure on Putin, not on us. Otherwise, it’s simply unfair. As for our meetings with the American side – we expect to meet and are ready to meet in Ukraine or in Europe. If they want to meet in America, let them invite us. We’re ready to negotiate anywhere.”
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In other recent troubling developments, Mr Trump announced plans to import Russian diesel to the US, called for Mr Zelensky to be replaced and declined to say whether Russia was responsible for the war. It has also been alleged the White House slowed down the US-provided Starlink satellite system used by Ukraine to shoot down Russian drones.
Former CIA Director and retired US General David Patraeus said US sanctions would be “really helpful” in putting pressure on Russian despot Putin. He told Sky News yesterday: “US sanctions would really be helpful in addition to the 21 or 22 rounds of EU sanctions that have been imposed, then I think you can actually see it’s possible that Vladimir Putin might look in the mirror one morning and conclude that he really cannot continue this war.”
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Yesterday, Cabinet minister Yvette Cooper said the UK takes a “different view” to Mr Trump on Ukraine, warning that the UK will continue to increase sanctions. Speaking to Sky News’s Sunday Morning, Health Secretary Ms Cooper – who was Foreign Secretary until recently – said: “We’ve been very clear that Ukraine’s security is also our security. It’s Europe security. It’s also UK security. So look, of course, we have taken a different view on the issue about the need to keep increasing sanctions, and we will continue with that.”
But she stopped short on using the word “wrong” when pressed on Mr Trump’s decision to pause sanctions on Russia, adding: “I can tell you my strong personal views around the support for Ukraine, I can tell our collective views about the Government’s support for Ukraine. But we do also have to recognise the crucial diplomatic role that the Prime Minister and the rest of the Government have to play in pulling everybody together in order to support Ukraine, and that’s crucial.”
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In a report published on Monday, IPPR – which is independent but is close to the Burnham administration – has warned “Britain’s assumptions about its place in the world no longer hold, upturned by Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion”.
It added: “The EU that Britain left no longer exists, and the country cannot ‘rejoin’. Instead, the UK must become a member of a transformed union.” It also released polling, with Persuasion UK, showing more than half (52%) of voters want to join the EU, compared with less than a third (29%) who want to stay out.
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Mr Burnham last week said it would be a “dereliction of duty” to reject closer ties with the EU. Ahead of the UK-EU summit next month, he told the Commons: “If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have. Sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain.
“Worse, it would be a major dereliction of duty to turn away. We need to take a calm, clear-eyed, rational look at the world as it is today to consider what is best for our country.”
Andy Burnham is facing growing calls to reconsider Britain’s relationship with the European Union as concerns about Donald Trump’s reliability create fresh uncertainty over the country’s international partnerships. The debate has reopened questions about Britain’s future outside the EU, its economic prospects and its ability to maintain strong relationships with both European neighbours and the United States.
Supporters of closer European ties argue that Britain needs dependable partners in an increasingly unpredictable world. They believe stronger cooperation with EU countries could help improve trade, strengthen security and provide greater stability for businesses and households. However, critics warn that moving closer to Brussels could bring new costs, political disagreements and difficult negotiations.
Burnham’s position in this debate is attracting attention because discussions about Britain’s future relationship with Europe remain politically sensitive. Any proposal to deepen cooperation would need to address concerns about sovereignty, immigration, trade regulations and democratic accountability.
Trump’s approach to international relations has also contributed to wider discussions about Britain’s strategic priorities. Changes in American policy can affect defence cooperation, tariffs, diplomatic relations and economic confidence. Those who favour closer European cooperation argue that Britain should avoid relying too heavily on a single international partner.
Nevertheless, uncertainty about American policy does not automatically mean Britain should seek to rejoin the EU. The economic and political consequences would depend on the precise arrangements negotiated, while any major change would require substantial public and parliamentary debate.
For businesses, the central concern is predictability. Companies trading across borders need clear rules, reliable supply chains and confidence that agreements will remain in place. A closer relationship with the EU could potentially reduce some trading barriers, although the benefits would depend on the sectors involved and the terms of any agreement.
Immigration would remain another major issue. Supporters of closer European ties may argue that practical agreements could improve cooperation, while opponents would question whether Britain could retain the level of control over its borders that voters expect. Any serious proposal would need to explain these arrangements clearly.
The debate also reflects Britain’s wider security concerns. European countries face shared challenges involving Russia, cyberattacks, energy supplies and international instability. Cooperation with European partners could strengthen coordination, but Britain already maintains important defence relationships outside the EU, including through NATO.
Ultimately, calls for Burnham to support closer EU ties highlight a continuing disagreement over Britain’s direction. Some people believe stronger European cooperation would provide greater economic and diplomatic security, while others see Brexit as a decision that should be preserved. The discussion is likely to continue as politicians consider how best to protect British interests in a changing international environment.