Starmer announces increased UK defense spending, calls Russia a threat

Speaking in Parliament in London, Starmer announced "the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war".

According to the Prime Minister, the UK government plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on defense by 2027, with a long-term goal of raising it to 3% after the next election and into the 2030s.

In his speech, Starmer warned that Russia poses a "menace in our waters, airspace and on our streets."

Recalling the fall of the Berlin Wall, he said: “If you had told me then that in my lifetime, we would see Russian tanks rolling into European cities again, I would not have believed you. Yet here we are, in a world where everything has changed, because three years ago, that is exactly what happened".

History has shown that instability in Europe always reaches Britain’s shores, Starmer added.

"Tyrants like Putin only respond to strength," he said.

Assistance to Ukraine

The United Kingdom has become one of Ukraine's key allies since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. London has provided significant military assistance, including Challenger 2 tanks, long-range Storm Shadow missiles, artillery, air defense systems, and training for the Ukrainian military. The country has also actively supported sanctions against Russia and financial assistance to Ukraine.

Recently, Starmer called on allies to continue to help Ukraine. The British Prime Minister noted that a bad peace deal would be “a disaster for everyone.” The politician emphasized that it is in the interests of London and Washington to support Ukraine with a guarantee of security.

In addition, on February 24, it became known that the UK would provide the largest military aid package to Ukraine in the amount of 4.5 billion sterling ($5.69 billion). London will also impose a new package of sanctions on Russia.