Keir Starmer last night promised this country would continue to put Ukraine ‘in the strongest position’ to protect itself.
But the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary John Healey face huge decisions over military spending following a monumental shift in US policy away from Europe.
As part of a ‘new world order’, the US will no longer prioritise British and European security, meaning the UK and its continental allies will have to step up.
But at the same time, Chancellor Rachel Reeves appears determined to cap defence spending at 2.3 per cent of GDP.
The Mail has repeatedly called for the government to boost armed forces’ investment to at least 2.5 per cent as part of its ‘Don’t Leave Britain Defenceless’ campaign.
Last night, Sir Keir said: ‘Ukraine needs to be in the strongest possible position. I’ve talked this through with Zelenskyy when I was there [in Ukraine] just a few weeks ago.
‘It was the eighth time I’ve met him since I’ve been PM and I’ve met him before that, to go through in some detail what putting them in the strongest position means.’
With the Army at its smallest size since Napoleonic times, it could soon be required to provide 15,000 ground troops as part of an non-US peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer returns to Downing Street after attending the Prime Minister’s Questions
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting with the US Secretary of Treasury in Kyiv on February 12
The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary John Healey (pictured) face huge decisions over military spending following a monumental shift in US policy away from Europe
These troops, who would likely deploy alongside French, German and Italian allies, would not be protected by the US should they be attacked by Russia.
Defence expert Francis Tusa suggested the open-ended commitment could cost £3-4 billion annually – which could not be afforded as part of the Treasury’s current estimates on defence spending.
The Financial Times reported that defence chiefs pushing for a budget of 2.65% of GDP in the strategic defence review, set to come within months, had been told they would only get 2.3%, an gap of up to £35 billion over the course of this parliament.
The Mail understands service chiefs have already attended preliminary meetings with Defence Secretary John Healey over the make-up of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, which would be a tri-service commitment.
A defence source said: ‘The top brass are reeling over this projected commitment as it comes as they are expected to make huge savings. They are also still chewing over their disappointment after failing to convince ministers to increase spending to 2.5 per cent.
‘Everything is happening at once. Perhaps the shock therapy of President Trump and Secretary Hesgeth’s announcements will force the UK government to get real about how much it needs to spend to secure this country’s security and lead efforts to ensure the security of Europe in this new era.’
