UK prime minister Keir Starmer is set to meet all 27 EU leaders in Brussels for dinner on Feb. 3, marking the first post-Brexit security talks, reports The Guardian.

The discussions will focus on strengthening EU-UK defense cooperation, a priority given Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, tensions over fishing rights could overshadow the talks.

The EU insists that resolving fishing quotas is key to advancing discussions on security and other issues, such as energy and migration. Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU's customs union but is seeking to ease post-Brexit border bureaucracy.

Fishing rights remain a contentious issue, with the current deal set to expire in 2026. While the EU prefers to extend the existing agreement, Starmer faces pressure to secure larger quotas for British fishing fleets.

The Times reports that EU diplomats will demand tough concessions on fishing before any progress on security can be made. "It worked for us the first time around with Boris [Johnson] and it will work for us again with Starmer," one diplomat said.