Peter Ricketts
@lordrickettsp.bsky.social
Former diplomat, Chair Lords European Affairs Cttee, Vice-Chair RUSI, Hon Pres Normandy Memorial. Special Envoy for loan of Bayeux Tapestry. Pop up on media a bit. Views all my own!
The detention of Noriega in 1969 is clearly the closest precedent for the Maduro operation. But events in Caracas remind me of a now-forgotten episode in which the US invaded a Commonwealth Caribbean state, giving the UK Gov’t a few hours’ notice and ignoring their objections 1/9
January 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The detention of Noriega in 1969 is clearly the closest precedent for the Maduro operation. But events in Caracas remind me of a now-forgotten episode in which the US invaded a Commonwealth Caribbean state, giving the UK Gov’t a few hours’ notice and ignoring their objections 1/9
Whatever else 2026 has in store, we will have the most sensational example of cultural diplomacy for a generation with the Bayeux Tapestry returning to the UK for the first time in 1,000 years, and on display at the British Museum from September. The vivid images speak to all ages. Don’t miss it!
January 1, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Whatever else 2026 has in store, we will have the most sensational example of cultural diplomacy for a generation with the Bayeux Tapestry returning to the UK for the first time in 1,000 years, and on display at the British Museum from September. The vivid images speak to all ages. Don’t miss it!
This has been my ideal holiday reading. Richard Holmes writes wonderfully and brings out how Tennyson’s poems grapple with the disturbing new vistas being opened up for his generation by discoveries in astronomy and geology. Tennyson’s early lyrics were also a big help to me at a certain moment. 1/
December 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
This has been my ideal holiday reading. Richard Holmes writes wonderfully and brings out how Tennyson’s poems grapple with the disturbing new vistas being opened up for his generation by discoveries in astronomy and geology. Tennyson’s early lyrics were also a big help to me at a certain moment. 1/
Waking up to news of the Trump-Netanyahu lovefest in Florida and the Foreign Secretary’s letter to the FAC on El Fattah? I will be unpacking all this on the BBC R4 Today Programme at around 0730
December 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Waking up to news of the Trump-Netanyahu lovefest in Florida and the Foreign Secretary’s letter to the FAC on El Fattah? I will be unpacking all this on the BBC R4 Today Programme at around 0730
Security guarantees depend on trust in the guarantor. NATO’s Article 5 is unspecific about what allies will do if one is attacked. Its credibility comes from the military forces nations assign to a NATO Command Chain, the planning staff at SHAPE etc. A bespoke Ukraine guarantee won’t have this/.
December 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Security guarantees depend on trust in the guarantor. NATO’s Article 5 is unspecific about what allies will do if one is attacked. Its credibility comes from the military forces nations assign to a NATO Command Chain, the planning staff at SHAPE etc. A bespoke Ukraine guarantee won’t have this/.
I very much agree with your comments as quoted here. It is fascinating to see the shifting roles of Germany and France in EU debates. But at least they were able to come together on a solution to Ukraine financing. My question is how will the UK contribute to the overall effort on this new basis?
The EU faces many challenges. Paradoxically, at a moment when the Union has never felt more French — with member states leaning into security and industrial policy — France’s positive & catalysing influence is absent.
Highly recommend this excellent @financialtimes.com: www.ft.com/content/99d2...
Highly recommend this excellent @financialtimes.com: www.ft.com/content/99d2...
Role reversal: how foot-dragging France blindsided newly assertive Berlin
As Friedrich Merz pushed to finalise a deal on Russian frozen assets, it became clear that he was missing one key ally
www.ft.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:56 AM
I very much agree with your comments as quoted here. It is fascinating to see the shifting roles of Germany and France in EU debates. But at least they were able to come together on a solution to Ukraine financing. My question is how will the UK contribute to the overall effort on this new basis?
The answer to my earlier question about how the UK contributes to a big loan to Ukraine after the EU failed to agree a plan to use frozen Russian assets is 👇. Ministers won’t go solo on using the £8bn of Russian assets here (no surprise). They are working on a Plan B. Rapid decisions now needed!
UK rules out using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine ft.trib.al/UYmE01a
UK rules out using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine
Britain had only been planning to deploy the plan in lockstep with Australia, Canada and the EU
ft.trib.al
December 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The answer to my earlier question about how the UK contributes to a big loan to Ukraine after the EU failed to agree a plan to use frozen Russian assets is 👇. Ministers won’t go solo on using the £8bn of Russian assets here (no surprise). They are working on a Plan B. Rapid decisions now needed!
This was expected but it gives welcome stability to the digital relationship between the UK and EU. That is vital for businesses and citizens. A loss of data adequacy would have been a major setback to the reset.
The European Commission has today renewed the UK's EU data adequacy status, to 2031. Based on our earlier work on the issue, in our Nov report on the UK-EU reset we noted renewal "would avoid significant disruption to UK-EU cooperation across the board". publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
December 19, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This was expected but it gives welcome stability to the digital relationship between the UK and EU. That is vital for businesses and citizens. A loss of data adequacy would have been a major setback to the reset.
In the face of Trump’s disdain and Russian intimidation, the EU has shown it can act even v late. But if a reparation loan had been agreed, UK was set to put £20bn or so of frozen Russian assets into the pot. Given Starmer’s leading role in European support for Ukraine, UK sh’d contribute somehow.
December 19, 2025 at 8:37 AM
In the face of Trump’s disdain and Russian intimidation, the EU has shown it can act even v late. But if a reparation loan had been agreed, UK was set to put £20bn or so of frozen Russian assets into the pot. Given Starmer’s leading role in European support for Ukraine, UK sh’d contribute somehow.
This is an inspired appointment. He is the complete professional. For the last three years, he’s been at the epicentre of constant crises as FCDO Political Director, always calm, resilient and constructive. No wonder he is highly respected by his international peers 1/2 www.gov.uk/government/n...
Dr Christian Turner CMG appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America
The UK has today confirmed the appointment of Dr Christian Turner CMG to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America.
www.gov.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This is an inspired appointment. He is the complete professional. For the last three years, he’s been at the epicentre of constant crises as FCDO Political Director, always calm, resilient and constructive. No wonder he is highly respected by his international peers 1/2 www.gov.uk/government/n...
Good to hear that the Government are (finally) taking action to get this money to those who need it most in Ukraine. This is what we called for in our @lordseuroaffairs.parliament.uk Report in January 2024 Report committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Good to hear that the Government are (finally) taking action to get this money to those who need it most in Ukraine. This is what we called for in our @lordseuroaffairs.parliament.uk Report in January 2024 Report committees.parliament.uk/publications...
If confirmed, this is great news, offering thousands of young people in the UK and EU the life-changing opportunity to immerse in the language and culture of another country by studying there. Would make good a highly damaging consequence of Brexit. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Erasmus scheme to return for UK students, BBC understands
The UK ended its participation in the scheme in 2020 after agreeing a Brexit deal with the EU.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
If confirmed, this is great news, offering thousands of young people in the UK and EU the life-changing opportunity to immerse in the language and culture of another country by studying there. Would make good a highly damaging consequence of Brexit. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer’s convening of Macron, Merz and Zelensky tomorrow is well timed. Witkoff tried to repeat his Gaza gambit by producing a hasty ‘peace plan’ and trying to railroad it. That was never going to work with Ukraine/Russia, and his current roadshow with Kushner won’t resolve the core issues 1/6.
December 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Starmer’s convening of Macron, Merz and Zelensky tomorrow is well timed. Witkoff tried to repeat his Gaza gambit by producing a hasty ‘peace plan’ and trying to railroad it. That was never going to work with Ukraine/Russia, and his current roadshow with Kushner won’t resolve the core issues 1/6.
Strongly recommend the Dulwich Gallery show: Anna Ancher: Painting Light. She lived and painted all her life on the N tip of Denmark at Skagen. But she also visited Paris, mingled with the impressionists and developed her own distinctive way of capturing the effects of light. It’s on till March.
December 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Strongly recommend the Dulwich Gallery show: Anna Ancher: Painting Light. She lived and painted all her life on the N tip of Denmark at Skagen. But she also visited Paris, mingled with the impressionists and developed her own distinctive way of capturing the effects of light. It’s on till March.
I agree and hope this is widely read on the other side of the Channel. Anand captures well the wider issues raised by the failed SAFE negotiations.
This is very good by @anandmenon.bsky.social. The EU shouldn't be indifferent to the choices the UK makes, merely setting out conditions for UK asks. It should have its own strategic aims on energy, security, export markets, access to Britain's knowledge economy
www.ft.com/content/0e5e...
www.ft.com/content/0e5e...
Will the UK and EU choose to be partners or rivals?
From defence collaboration to energy, the bloc is struggling to decide how to view its former member
www.ft.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I agree and hope this is widely read on the other side of the Channel. Anand captures well the wider issues raised by the failed SAFE negotiations.
Do see the vibrant Kerry James Marshall show @royalacademy.bsky.social until 18 January. His huge paintings are striking and thoughtful, celebrating black American culture adapting many of the conventions of centuries of Western painting. 1/2
December 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Do see the vibrant Kerry James Marshall show @royalacademy.bsky.social until 18 January. His huge paintings are striking and thoughtful, celebrating black American culture adapting many of the conventions of centuries of Western painting. 1/2
In the Folketing in Copenhagen for COSAC - Chairs of national European Affairs Cttees. I expect much support for Ukraine and the urgent need for a strong Europe - a good context to regret the disconnect between this and the failure of talks on UK access to SAFE. @lordseuroaffairs.parliament.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In the Folketing in Copenhagen for COSAC - Chairs of national European Affairs Cttees. I expect much support for Ukraine and the urgent need for a strong Europe - a good context to regret the disconnect between this and the failure of talks on UK access to SAFE. @lordseuroaffairs.parliament.uk
Not surprising. It was bonkers that the EU demanded billions of € as an entry fee to SAFE for UK firms. It shows the disconnect between the shared imperative of increasing Europe’s military power and what looks to be a calculated move by some to keep UK out of SAFE. www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
EU-UK talks on defense deal break down
London and Brussels clashed over how much the U.K. would have to pay to take part.
www.politico.eu
November 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Not surprising. It was bonkers that the EU demanded billions of € as an entry fee to SAFE for UK firms. It shows the disconnect between the shared imperative of increasing Europe’s military power and what looks to be a calculated move by some to keep UK out of SAFE. www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
Reposted by Peter Ricketts
Our Chair @lordrickettsp.bsky.social is on this week's Parliament Matters podcast from @hansardsociety.bsky.social (at 21' 25"). He discusses the UK-EU 'reset' & our recent report on it, & Parliament's current & future role in scrutinising UK-EU relations, including prospective dynamic alignment
🎙️ New episode: What really happens after Budget Day?
(Yes — there really are 101 Ways and Means resolutions…)
🧾 How the Budget becomes the Finance Bill
🇪🇺 @lordrickettsp.bsky.social on dynamic alignment with the EU
🔟 More sitting Fridays for the assisted dying bill
🔗 Listen ⤵️ buff.ly/M6S6kdP
(Yes — there really are 101 Ways and Means resolutions…)
🧾 How the Budget becomes the Finance Bill
🇪🇺 @lordrickettsp.bsky.social on dynamic alignment with the EU
🔟 More sitting Fridays for the assisted dying bill
🔗 Listen ⤵️ buff.ly/M6S6kdP
November 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Our Chair @lordrickettsp.bsky.social is on this week's Parliament Matters podcast from @hansardsociety.bsky.social (at 21' 25"). He discusses the UK-EU 'reset' & our recent report on it, & Parliament's current & future role in scrutinising UK-EU relations, including prospective dynamic alignment
I represented @houseoflords.parliament.uk at a Summit in Stockholm to remind the world of Crimea’s plight since 2014: killings, children sent to Russian camps, cultural heritage destroyed etc. Zelensky put it powerfully in his speech to us ‘Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen’.
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I represented @houseoflords.parliament.uk at a Summit in Stockholm to remind the world of Crimea’s plight since 2014: killings, children sent to Russian camps, cultural heritage destroyed etc. Zelensky put it powerfully in his speech to us ‘Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen’.
The task for the European team in Geneva today should be to channel Trump’s impatience for a ceasefire into a plan which respects Ukraine’s vital interests and its sovereign right to decide its own security arrangements - and doesn’t leave Europe paying the whole bill.
November 23, 2025 at 7:42 AM
The task for the European team in Geneva today should be to channel Trump’s impatience for a ceasefire into a plan which respects Ukraine’s vital interests and its sovereign right to decide its own security arrangements - and doesn’t leave Europe paying the whole bill.
My assessment of what payments the EU are demanding from the UK to turn the aspirations set out at the 19 May Summit into firm agreements, and why their demand for €6.5bn to access the SAFE defence loan scheme is bonkers, its just after 30 mins in here. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
PM - 14/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
News and current affairs, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:39 PM
My assessment of what payments the EU are demanding from the UK to turn the aspirations set out at the 19 May Summit into firm agreements, and why their demand for €6.5bn to access the SAFE defence loan scheme is bonkers, its just after 30 mins in here. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
If you are puzzled by the proliferating EU demands for UK cash as part of the reset process I will try to see through the fog on BBC Radio 4 PM Programme at around 1730 (or later on BBC Sounds)!
On another point, it’s unbelievable that the EU are asking for €6.5bn as an entry fee to access SAFE. Remember: this is a loan scheme. The Gov’t are willing to contribute to the costs of running it. But a €6.5 bn fee is so off the scale that it suggests some EU members don’t want UK in the scheme.
Thanks to the FT for quoting me on the Lords European Affairs Cttee report. But as I understand the outcome of the Brussels debate on money, a UK contribution to EU cohesion funds w’d only be sought for future access to the Internal Market, not for SPS/ETS deals. This is good news. t.co/8UqLZ7bGn4
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
If you are puzzled by the proliferating EU demands for UK cash as part of the reset process I will try to see through the fog on BBC Radio 4 PM Programme at around 1730 (or later on BBC Sounds)!
On another point, it’s unbelievable that the EU are asking for €6.5bn as an entry fee to access SAFE. Remember: this is a loan scheme. The Gov’t are willing to contribute to the costs of running it. But a €6.5 bn fee is so off the scale that it suggests some EU members don’t want UK in the scheme.
Thanks to the FT for quoting me on the Lords European Affairs Cttee report. But as I understand the outcome of the Brussels debate on money, a UK contribution to EU cohesion funds w’d only be sought for future access to the Internal Market, not for SPS/ETS deals. This is good news. t.co/8UqLZ7bGn4
https://www.ft.com/content/acf92b43-8c9e-4c6f-9029-60ad4fb16b4b
t.co
November 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
On another point, it’s unbelievable that the EU are asking for €6.5bn as an entry fee to access SAFE. Remember: this is a loan scheme. The Gov’t are willing to contribute to the costs of running it. But a €6.5 bn fee is so off the scale that it suggests some EU members don’t want UK in the scheme.
Thanks to the FT for quoting me on the Lords European Affairs Cttee report. But as I understand the outcome of the Brussels debate on money, a UK contribution to EU cohesion funds w’d only be sought for future access to the Internal Market, not for SPS/ETS deals. This is good news. t.co/8UqLZ7bGn4
https://www.ft.com/content/acf92b43-8c9e-4c6f-9029-60ad4fb16b4b
t.co
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Thanks to the FT for quoting me on the Lords European Affairs Cttee report. But as I understand the outcome of the Brussels debate on money, a UK contribution to EU cohesion funds w’d only be sought for future access to the Internal Market, not for SPS/ETS deals. This is good news. t.co/8UqLZ7bGn4