UK and Ireland agree closer cooperation on Ukraine, trade and Northern Ireland

A new framework for practical cooperation

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin agreed to deepen cooperation on Ukraine, trade, European engagement and Northern Ireland during their meeting in Manchester on 18 September. The encounter was held at No 10 North, the regional government base Burnham established after taking office. It was the first time an international leader had visited the site.

The governments presented the meeting as a political reset built around existing commitments rather than a new treaty. Both sides reaffirmed support for the Good Friday Agreement and discussed cooperation on the legacy of the Troubles, reconciliation and the functioning of institutions across the island of Ireland. The emphasis matters because constitutional questions have become more prominent in British and Irish politics, while both governments are seeking to keep day-to-day cooperation separate from arguments about a possible future border poll.

Ukraine and Europe on the agenda

The two leaders also confirmed a shared position supporting Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion. The official British readout said London and Dublin intend to keep working together to help Ukraine defend itself. That language signals continuity in security policy while Ireland retains its military neutrality and focuses on political, humanitarian and European responses rather than joining military alliances.

Trade and the UK’s relationship with the European Union formed a second practical strand. Ireland is holding the rotating EU Council presidency, giving Dublin an unusually prominent role in discussions about the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with European institutions. The meeting took place as British ministers were separately pressing EU counterparts over procurement rules that could disadvantage British suppliers, making Ireland an important channel for broader economic diplomacy.

The leaders agreed that the next UK-Ireland Summit, expected in the first half of 2027, should be used to advance cooperation on security and trade. The immediate test will be whether the political language produces operational progress: smoother arrangements for Northern Ireland, closer coordination on Ukraine and workable access for British firms to European programmes. The meeting did not announce a new funding package, defence commitment or constitutional settlement.