Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, headed to Brussels on a mission to “reset” Britain’s relationship with the European Union. However, he’s likely to face some tough challenges as European capitals aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet.

Starmer’s visit comes as he’s trying to position himself as a more pro-EU alternative to the current Conservative government. But he’s walking a tightrope here – he needs to appeal to both Remain voters and those who backed Brexit.

During his trip, Starmer’s set to meet with several important figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. He’s also planning to chat with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

But here’s the challenge: while Starmer’s talking about improving ties with the EU, he’s also made it clear that rejoining the single market or customs union isn’t on the table. That’s left some EU officials uncertain, wondering what exactly he’s offering.

One EU diplomat was direct, saying Starmer shouldn’t expect any “gifts” from Brussels. They pointed out that the EU’s already got its hands full with other pressing issues, like the war in Ukraine and the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Another diplomatic source added, saying that while they’re open to better relations with the UK, they’re not about to make significant concessions. They stressed that any improvements would have to be within the framework of existing agreements.

Starmer’s also facing pressure back home. The Tories are eager to paint him as weak on Brexit, while some in his own party are pushing for closer ties with the EU. It’s a challenging situation to navigate.

Despite these challenges, Starmer’s team is maintaining a positive outlook. They’re emphasizing his commitment to building a “close trading relationship” with the EU while respecting the Brexit vote.

But realistically, Starmer’s got his work cut out for him. He’s trying to find a middle ground between improving EU relations and not alienating Brexit supporters. It’s a delicate balancing act, and only time will tell if he can succeed.