British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a speech in the House of Commons pledged to increase UK defence spending to 2.5 % of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, and warned of a "new era of uncertainty" for Europe.
Starmer said his announcement represents "the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War"and added that it was necessary because "tyrants like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin respond only to force".
Starmer is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, who has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the US provides security to European countries that do not pull together.
The UK currently spends 2.3 % of its GDP on defence. While the government has previously made statements regarding a target of 2.5 % of spending, it has not issued a date.
Starmer told lawmakers that the increase represents an additional £13.4 billion (€16.6 billion) a year, adding that the goal is for defence spending to rise to 3 % of GDP by 2035.
To finance this increase, Starmer said foreign development assistance will be reduced from 0.5 % to 0.3 % of national income.
Starmer: the new era we must face
The announcement comes at a time when Europe is looking to strengthen its collective defence as Trump continues to shift US foreign policy and appears to be sidelining Europe as he seeks a quick plan to end the war in Ukraine.
The prime minister offered to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a force to secure a ceasefire with Russia, but also said that US "backing" would be needed to ensure a lasting peace.
Trump has not committed to providing security guarantees for Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against Moscow's full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.
"We must stand by Ukraine because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, then economic instability and threats to our security will only increase," Starmer said.
"And so as the nature of this conflict changes, as it has in recent weeks, our response is sharpening, a new era that we must confront as we have often done in the past, together and with great force," He added.
Johnson: Ukraine started the war = America provoked the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Meanwhile, a former British prime minister has spoken out against the actions of Trump and his administration Boris Johnsonwho likened Washington's words to a "nightmare".
"We're currently going through a nightmare of Orwellian language about what's going on, victim blaming the likes of which I've never seen in my life," Johnson said in Kiev on Monday.
"Saying Ukraine started the war is like saying America provoked the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it's utter nonsense and we need to name it."
The former British leader called for greater unity on the continent, saying that only then can it be seen as an equal actor with the US and other countries.
"Unless European governments really stand up for (Ukraine), the Trump administration will not take us seriously on this point," Johnson concluded.
euronews/ gnews.cz - RoZ
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