PM meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen: 22 September 2026

The Prime Minister and Ursula von der Leyen met at the UN General Assembly to prepare for the upcoming EU-UK summit, focusing on aligning strategies for shared challenges. Discussions centred on countering threats from Russia, including hybrid warfare and disinformation campaigns targeting both the EU and UK. The leaders underscored the need for joint action to address illegal migration pressures and unfair trade practices driven by global overcapacity. They also highlighted ongoing efforts to establish common AI safety standards, with the UK set to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Manchester in 2027.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to collaborating with the EU on security and economic resilience, particularly in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Both sides agreed on the urgency of coordinated responses to hybrid threats and disinformation, which pose risks to European stability. The meeting also addressed the impact of global trade imbalances, with a focus on mitigating unfair competition affecting industries on both sides of the Channel.

During the discussion, the leaders reviewed progress on AI safety initiatives, aligning with the UK’s upcoming G20 presidency in 2027. They noted the importance of international cooperation to ensure responsible AI development and deployment. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s role in hosting the G20 summit, which will serve as a platform for advancing global AI governance frameworks.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to deepen EU-UK ties ahead of the next summit, with both leaders stressing the need for pragmatic solutions to pressing geopolitical and economic issues. They also acknowledged the role of multilateral forums like the UN and G20 in fostering collaborative approaches to shared challenges.