Sir Keir Starmer has praised a new EU agreement to boost defense spending, following an emergency summit in Brussels. This package aims to strengthen Europe’s military capabilities through loans and relaxed deficit rules.
After discussions with EU leaders, Starmer described the move as “historic” and a sign of Europe’s commitment to taking charge of its security. His goal is to rally European nations into a “coalition of the willing” to deter Russia, especially as peace negotiations in Ukraine unfold.
UK officials report that around 20 countries are interested in joining this coalition. However, not all will send troops; many will provide support in other ways. EU leaders have expressed concerns about relying solely on U.S. security under previous administrations, prompting repeated promises to enhance military capabilities.
During the Brussels summit, leaders backed a plan to collectively borrow €150 billion for military spending and suggested reallocating regional funds to defense. They also discussed suspending certain rules regarding government debt and deficits to allow for these expenditures.
Starmer spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, along with leaders from Canada, Turkey, Norway, and Iceland, to address these plans. A Downing Street spokesperson noted that Starmer praised the progress made during the summit and emphasized the importance of an upcoming meeting in Paris.
The UK and France have both signaled a willingness to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and are encouraging other European nations to do the same. However, Starmer insists that any such deployments must have security guarantees from the U.S. This is crucial as the U.S. has not committed to providing this support through President Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump maintains that U.S. involvement, such as a potential minerals deal, could deter further Russian aggression. Russia has firmly rejected these moves, viewing them as direct NATO involvement in their conflict.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine aimed at reaching an agreement are set for next week in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of these talks, Trump indicated he might impose new sanctions on Russia following recent attacks on Ukraine, urging both nations to negotiate before it’s too late.
In Washington, UK Defense Secretary John Healey met with his U.S. counterpart to discuss strategies to end the war. He reiterated the need for a lasting peace and highlighted Britain’s significant role in European security.
Back in the UK, the Ministry of Defence partnered with an Anglo-American firm, signing a £30 million deal to supply advanced surveillance systems to Ukraine. Additionally, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £2.26 billion loan to Ukraine funded by frozen Russian assets, with the first payment of £752 million already confirmed.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude to Starmer and the UK government for facilitating the loan, emphasizing the need for Russia’s assets to be utilized for Ukraine’s benefit in the future.
Calls are growing for the UK government to seize Russian assets, with the Liberal Democrats urging clarity on the legal processes involved. Starmer mentioned that discussions are ongoing, but the situation remains complex.
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