UK Shuns EU’s €2 Billion Demand to Join Key Defense Fund

The UK has rebuffed the European Union’s request that it pay €2 billion ($2.3 billion) to join the bloc’s massive defense fund, putting pressure on leaders to find a last-minute deal at a Group of 20 meeting this weekend.

The move came on Friday, shortly after the EU revised its initial offer of up to €6.75 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.