UK leader Starmer pitches pragmatism as he seeks to mend EU ties battered by Brexit

BRUSSELS (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has held out the prospect of “sensible leadership” on issues of common interest as he seeks to improve tattered ties with the European Union, London’s relations with the EU went off the rails as the UK left the world’s biggest trading bloc four years ago. Starmer had meetings Wednesday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Von der Leyen said the EU and the U.K. should “explore the scope for more cooperation. Starmer wants to focus talks on security, migration and trade, while the EU is keen on a scheme to build bridges between young people.