Badenoch, a Conservative leader, warned the Prime Minister that he must quickly announce a big increase in defence spending. This comes just before important talks with US President Donald Trump about the crisis in Ukraine.
She suggested using money from the welfare and foreign aid budgets to help fund the British armed forces. In her letter, she said that Russia under Putin is a serious threat to all of Europe. She believes that defence spending should be at least 2.5% of the country’s total income (GDP).
Badenoch wrote that the country should have started boosting its own defence production by now, because buying munitions, equipment, or weapons takes time. She said, “There is no time to wait.” She offered her party’s support if tough decisions must be made, and even suggested that some money now spent on overseas development (about 0.5% of GDP) could be redirected to defence. She also mentioned that savings from cutting some welfare expenses could help increase defence funds.
She insists the PM should not wait until Thursday’s meeting with Mr Trump to explain his plans to strengthen the armed forces. Additionally, she urged Sir Keir to stop what she calls an “indefensible surrender” of British land in the Chagos Islands. She believes that any deal forcing British taxpayers to pay billions to Mauritius for this territory is wrong.
Badenoch warned, “I will always support you when you do the right thing, but I cannot be silent about the risks facing our country.” She reminded him that history has not been kind to leaders who delay action when threats grow.
Sir Keir’s meeting with Mr Trump comes at a time of great uncertainty between the UK and the US. Many expect him to announce that UK defence spending will reach 2.5% of GDP by 2030. While Mr Trump once called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator,” Sir Keir has told Zelensky that Ukraine is on a clear path to join NATO.
A YouGov poll shows that 62% of Britons support Ukraine joining NATO. However, many doubt that the US would defend countries like the Baltic states if Russia attacked, and fewer believe America would come to Britain’s aid if the UK were attacked.
To improve relations with the US, Sir Keir may even invite the US President for a state visit. Oleksii Goncharenko, a Ukrainian MP, stressed that it would be disastrous if Putin appeared stronger than Trump or the free world. He said, “Ukraine is too important to lose.”
Monday marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it is time to put more pressure on Russia. He confirmed that the UK would continue to give £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine and would send British troops for peacekeeping if needed. He also promised the biggest set of new sanctions against Russia since the start of the war to weaken its military and cut off its income.
Sir Keir spoke with President Zelensky on Saturday morning. A Downing Street spokesperson said that the PM stressed Ukraine must be at the center of any peace talks and that protecting Ukraine’s independence is essential to stop future attacks from Russia.
