UK’s Starmer urges Nato allies to boost defence spending
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Mr Keir Starmer repeated that his government would come up with a roadmap to reach 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence spending.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on other Nato allies on July 11 to do more to increase their defence spending, saying it was needed to protect the alliance’s values in “a new and dangerous era”.
In a speech at his first international summit since becoming Britain’s prime minister last week,
He repeatedly avoided answering questions on whether US President Joe Biden was fit enough to run for a new term after he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin
Mr Starmer instead praised Mr Biden’s role in organising what he called a successful Nato summit in Washington.
“This was a successful council, he led it, he deserves credit for that,” Mr Starmer told a news conference.
Mr Starmer sought to focus more on the summit itself, saying 23 members out of the 32 in the alliance were now spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence, “but in light of the grave threats to our security, we must go further”.
“We face the generational threat of Russia, aided by the likes of North Korea and Iran. Conflicts rage across the Middle East and North Africa, the challenge of China, terrorism and international institutions, that should be at the heart of the response are being undermined.”
An analysis published in April by the previous Conservative government showed Nato-qualifying British defence spending was expected to be 2.32 per cent of GDP in the 2024-2025 financial year.
The speech capped off Mr Starmer's first foray on the international stage, one where he received a warm welcome from several Western leaders who envy his big majority in Parliament. REUTERS
