Keir Starmer isn’t wasting any time making his mark on the global stage. Just hours after unveiling a bold increase in UK defence spending, the Prime Minister is jetting off to Washington for a face-to-face with Donald Trump, a meeting set against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions.
With Russian aggression showing no signs of easing and doubts swirling over Trump’s commitment to European security, Starmer is taking decisive action. The UK will now commit 2.5% of GDP to defence by 2027, a move the PM calls essential in an era of uncertainty.
A Bold Response to a ‘Dangerous New Era’
Standing firm at a press conference on Tuesday, Starmer warned of a shifting world order.
“This is a significant moment,” he said. “We must rise to this generational challenge. It’s time to fight for peace, not through words, but through action.”
The announcement was swiftly backed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who hailed the UK’s commitment as a “strong step from an enduring partner.” But was Starmer pushed into it by Trump’s hardline stance on European defence? The PM denied it, insisting, “We’ve all known this decision was coming for three years, since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. The last few weeks have simply accelerated my thinking.”
Europe Must Step Up
Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed Starmer’s call for strength, urging European allies to follow suit. Writing in The Telegraph, she stressed the need for the continent to take greater responsibility for its own defence.
“This is a generational moment,” she said. “All of us must step up and do more.”
As she heads to South Africa for G20 finance talks, Reeves plans to drive home the importance of security in economic planning.
Meanwhile, European leaders will descend on the UK this weekend to strategise on defence, a follow-up to recent discussions in Paris. Among those expected to attend are leaders from Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and the EU Commission.
A Costly Commitment
But this new defence strategy won’t come cheap. Labour’s plan to fund the £13.4 billion boost hinges on cutting foreign aid, just one of many “hard choices” Starmer insists the nation must face.
Addressing Parliament, he made it clear that Britain’s security demands bold action.
“Russia is a menace in our waters, in our airspace, and on our streets,” he declared. “We must find courage in our history, courage in who we are as a nation. This is the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, and we will see it through.”
Beyond 2027, Starmer is even eyeing a rise to 3% of GDP, underlining the scale of his ambition.
A Meeting That Could Shape the Future
With the ink barely dry on the defence spending plans, Starmer’s visit to Washington carries enormous weight. Trump has made no secret of his disdain for NATO’s current setup, leaving European leaders nervous about America’s long-term role in their security. The Prime Minister’s challenge? To ensure Britain remains at the heart of the Western alliance, regardless of shifting political tides in Washington.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due in Washington on Friday, where he’s expected to finalise a minerals deal with the US, a critical step in securing continued military aid from America. It’s a reminder that in today’s world, economic and military alliances are more intertwined than ever.
With growing instability across Europe and the US’s commitment to NATO in question, this week’s meetings could define the future of global security. Starmer has set out his stall, but now, the real test begins.
