Britain, Brexit and Why Europe Should Remember
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Europe has a complicated relationship with Britain.
Brexit was, in our view, a historic mistake. It created a political and economic separation between people who had spent decades becoming closer, and it weakened the European project at a moment when European unity matters more than ever.
But history should not be written in black and white.
If Europe wants to build a stronger relationship with the United Kingdom in the future, we should also remember something that deserves recognition: Britain's support for Ukraine.
Britain acted before the invasion
In January 2022, the threat from Russia was becoming increasingly clear, but the possibility of a full-scale invasion was still being debated across Europe.
The United Kingdom chose to prepare.
On 17 January, Britain announced that it would supply Ukraine with light anti-armour defensive weapons and send British personnel to provide initial training. GOV.UK
British NLAW anti-tank missiles were transported to Ukraine in January, accompanied by British troops responsible for training Ukrainian forces in their use.
This was before 24 February 2022.
Before the full-scale invasion.
Before the images of Russian tanks crossing the border became reality.
Britain was preparing Ukraine to defend itself.
Support that did not stop with one government
Britain's support for Ukraine also became notable for another reason: it survived political change.
Boris Johnson's government was followed by Liz Truss, then Rishi Sunak, and eventually Keir Starmer.
Different leaders. Different political circumstances. Different priorities.
But support for Ukraine remained.
Under Rishi Sunak, Britain became the first country to provide Ukraine with modern Western main battle tanks, sending Challenger 2 tanks and training Ukrainian crews. GOV.UK
By 2024, the British government described the UK as having repeatedly been a "first mover" in providing major capabilities to Ukraine, including Storm Shadow missiles and Challenger 2 tanks. GOV.UK
And that commitment has continued under the current British government. As of July 2026, the UK says it has committed £25 billion in support for Ukraine, including £16 billion in military assistance. GOV.UK
Europe is bigger than the European Union
This is where Eurocrazy sees an important lesson.
Europe is not simply an institution in Brussels.
Europe is a continent, a collection of societies, a shared history and, above all, a community of people who broadly believe that freedom, democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law are worth defending.
The United Kingdom is outside the European Union.
But British citizens are still Europeans.
And when Ukraine's freedom was threatened, Britain demonstrated that European solidarity does not always follow institutional borders.
That should matter.
We can regret Brexit and still say thank you
There is no contradiction in believing that Brexit was a mistake while recognising Britain's contribution to Ukraine.
In fact, mature political relationships should allow us to do precisely that.
We do not need to romanticise Britain.
We do not need to pretend that British governments have always got everything right.
We simply need to recognise when a country has done something that deserves recognition.
And Britain did.
It acted early.
It provided weapons.
It trained Ukrainian soldiers.
It sent tanks.
And it maintained support despite changes in government.
That is worth remembering.
A European future that includes Britain
At Eurocrazy™, we believe the long-term relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom should be based on cooperation rather than resentment.
Brexit does not have to be the final chapter.
Europe should remain open to rebuilding bridges with Britain — economically, politically, culturally and strategically.
Because the challenges facing European democracies do not stop at the EU's external border.
Neither does solidarity.
The lesson of Ukraine is simple.
When freedom is threatened, Europeans need each other.
Sometimes Europe needs Brussels.
Sometimes it needs London.
And sometimes it needs both.