British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday following a significant decline in his approval ratings. Starmer, who has served as prime minister since 2024, is the first leader outside the Conservative Party to hold the position since the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

During his tenure, Starmer sought to mend strained relations between the UK and the EU, though he firmly dismissed any prospects of the country rejoining the bloc. His government maintained a pivotal role in regional security, particularly in support of Ukraine alongside the leaders of France and Germany. Working closely with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Starmer helped sustain the cooperation of the so-called “E3” group in backing Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.

European leaders offered praise for Starmer’s leadership as he prepared to leave office. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, highlighted his rapid development into a statesman, acknowledging his positive impact on European and Ukrainian security. Von der Leyen expressed her gratitude on the social media platform X, emphasizing that Starmer had been easier to engage with compared to previous British leaders.

While Starmer’s departure underscores challenges he faced domestically, his efforts to strengthen international ties and uphold Britain’s influence in European and global affairs marked a notable aspect of his administration. The timeline for appointing his successor has not yet been publicly confirmed.