Britain’s new Labour government will make supporting Ukraine’s war against Russia a top international priority, the country’s incoming defense chief said, as he takes on a mission to counter Kremlin adventurism and bolster British military might at a time of fiscal constraints.

       The government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which ended the Labour Party’s long opposition exile following a major electoral victory last week, faces a mandate to strengthen services for Britons, improve economic conditions and fortify military readiness — all at a time when, its ministers say, government coffers are largely bare.