Sir Keir Starmer will urge European international locations to commit extra in defence spending as he heads to Brussels for safety talks.
The prime minister will name on Europe to “step up and shoulder more of the burden” to fend off the menace posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Sir Keir, the primary prime minister to satisfy all of the leaders of the 27 EU nations in Brussels since Brexit, will argue the bloc must capitalise on the weak state of the Russian economic system by persevering with with its sanctions regime.
The prime minister will meet NATO Secretary Normal Mark Rutte on Monday afternoon earlier than travelling to satisfy with the leaders of the 27 EU member states at a casual assembly of the European Council.
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Sir Keir Starmer with Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, whom he hosted at Chequers on Sunday. Pic: PA
Sir Keir is predicted to say: “We have to see all allies stepping up – significantly in Europe.
“President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy.
“I am right here to work with our European companions on maintaining the strain, focusing on the vitality revenues and the businesses supplying his missile factories to crush Putin’s battle machine.
“Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer.”
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3:38
Ukrainian troopers have message for Trump
Sir Keir’s suggestion that EU international locations ought to spend extra on defence is more likely to open him as much as criticism from the Conservatives, who’ve urged the federal government to extend defence spending to 2.5% of nationwide revenue.
The prime minister stated on the finish of final 12 months that he would “set out a path” to carry defence spending to 2.5% of nationwide revenue within the spring.
The UK says it at the moment spends round 2.3% of GDP [gross domestic product] on defence.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary Normal Mark Rutte at 10 Downing Avenue in October. Pic: Reuters
Final 12 months EU member states spent a median of 1.9% of EU GDP on defence, based on the European Defence Company, a 30% enhance in contrast with 2021.
Earlier this week European Council President Antonio Costa stated the 23 EU members who belong to NATO are more likely to agree to boost the defence spending goal above the present 2% of nationwide output on the subsequent NATO summit in June.
Nonetheless, Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO – the navy alliance consisting of 30 European international locations and the US and Canada – arguing that his nation is contributing an excessive amount of to the alliance’s funds whereas Europeans contribute too little.
Throughout the US election marketing campaign, President Trump stated America would solely assist defend NATO members from a future assault by Russia in the event that they met their spending obligations.
He additionally stated members of NATO needs to be contributing 5% of their GDPs to defence spending – relatively than the earlier goal of two%.
The session of the Casual European Council comes as the federal government seeks to reset its relationship with the EU and increase areas of cooperation, together with on defence and tackling unlawful migration.
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Starmer hosts German chancellor
On Sunday the prime minister hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at his nation residence Chequers, the place the 2 leaders agreed on the “importance of scaling up and coordinating defence production across Europe”, Downing Avenue stated.
Nonetheless, the federal government has repeatedly stated {that a} nearer relationship with the EU will solely be sought inside its purple strains – which means there can be no return to freedom of motion and rejoining the customs union or single market.
