OPINION
Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at a summit at Lancaster House (Image: Getty Images)
It was US President Theodore Roosevelt who coined the maxim that success required you to “speak softly and carry a big stick”. Over the last few days Britain’s diplomatic skills have been evident. The Prime Minister’s visit to the US, the phone calls to presidents Trump and Zelensky post-Oval Office spat and the hosting of yesterday’s summit were welcome accomplishments. What has been less evident is the commitment to generate the hard power required to protect our interests and secure a lasting peace deal for Ukraine. Unless there is a deterrent against Russian expansionism it will continue.
If NATO’s articles and US assistance will not provide those security guarantees then another means must be found. The UK and Europe have known this for some time. Some nations have tried to step up and are finding out how hard it is to ring-fence the required revenue. Poland – a country explicitly named by Vladimir Putin as being future Russian territory – is struggling to meet its goal of 4.7% GDP on defence. NATO has been pushing for its members to reach 3% for some time. Some still don’t even spend 2%. Whitehall has responded with a wholly inadequate 2.5%, achieved through Treasury smoke and mirrors. Cutting the aid budget is justifiable to fund vital defence capabilities, but not to fund the offloading of the Chagos Islands.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
做手术之馀 - 帮助黎巴嫩重开医院无国界医生（香港） 立即捐款
Undo
Don't miss...
Should Zelenksy resign to stop Ukraine-Russia war – vote here [LATEST]
Keir Starmer torn apart by Susanna Reid with scathing question after Ukraine vow [LATEST]
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
We need to refocus spending on the things that only Government can do. We need an emergency defence preparation programme, to get us in shape over the next five years. Done well, it will provide a deterrent to future aggression.
Lord Robertson, a former NATO Secretary General, will shortly present his defence review to the Prime Minister. The Treasury must fund what is needed. And any European “defence bank” created to help these efforts must be open to the US.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer reveals how UK and France plan to end Ukraine war
341 Comments
Rod Stewart issues urgent six-word warning to Starmer after heated Trump and Zelensky row
145 Comments
Keir Starmer unveils four-point plan for Ukraine peace to present to Donald Trump
176 Comments
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
23 Comments
Keir Starmer's right-hand man sends message to Zelensky after Donald Trump row
259 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to cancel 'bully' Trump's visit to meet the King
102 Comments
Elon Musk calls on US to quit NATO as tensions soar after furious Trump and Zelensky row
377 Comments
Keir Starmer rejects SNP call to axe Donald Trump's UK state visit
31 Comments
Calls for Donald Trump's UK visit to be scrapped after Volodymyr Zelensky row
147 Comments
Elon Musk takes brutal swipe at Zelensky over 'fancy dinners' at peace summit
199 Comments
Keir Starmer holds Ukraine crisis press conference this PM as world leaders in London
635 Comments
Trump savaged by former US presidential candidate who calls for UK to 'protect democracy'
203 Comments
Keir Starmer to axe Ed Miliband in the Spring - we can't afford to wait that long!
395 Comments
Keir Starmer tipped to sack Ed Miliband in brutal reshuffle
161 Comments
退休之後，真正聪明的老人，从不和子女谈论这四件事，别不信，这是大智慧Rebang 360
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Asylum and refugee costs could devour third of UK aid budget
171 Comments
Rachel Reeves slashes 'green' spending to find billions more for defence
134 Comments
人老了，长寿重点不在於运动，也不是喝水，过55岁後要谨记4点Rebang 360 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Three reasons Donald Trump can sit back and reflect on seven days of triumph
61 Comments
Keir Starmer sparks diplomatic row after failing to invite 3 counties to Ukraine summit
292 Comments
绝对不要食用这些会致癌的食品Health 24/7 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
POLL: Should Keir Starmer back Trump, Zelensky or try and stay neutral?
197 Comments
Russia economy bombshell as Trump aide says 'extraordinary opportunities' for US deals
64 Comments
狗狗不肯让宝宝一个人睡——父母知道原因后，立刻报警了有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer reveals how UK and France plan to end Ukraine war
341 Comments
Rod Stewart issues urgent six-word warning to Starmer after heated Trump and Zelensky row
145 Comments
请不要吃以下的7种食物！它们是会致癌的Health 24/7
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer unveils four-point plan for Ukraine peace to present to Donald Trump
176 Comments
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
23 Comments
狗狗坚决不让婴儿单独待著—父母知道原因后，立刻报警有趣事实 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer's right-hand man sends message to Zelensky after Donald Trump row
259 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to cancel 'bully' Trump's visit to meet the King
102 Comments
风扇 | 友和 YOHO友和 YOHO 立即选购
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Elon Musk calls on US to quit NATO as tensions soar after furious Trump and Zelensky row
377 Comments
Keir Starmer rejects SNP call to axe Donald Trump's UK state visit
31 Comments
雪柜 | 友和 YOHO友和 YOHO 立即选购
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Calls for Donald Trump's UK visit to be scrapped after Volodymyr Zelensky row
147 Comments
Elon Musk takes brutal swipe at Zelensky over 'fancy dinners' at peace summit
199 Comments
Couple have a wedding photoshoot. But then the photographer notices something strange.Kingdom Of Men
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer holds Ukraine crisis press conference this PM as world leaders in London
635 Comments
Trump savaged by former US presidential candidate who calls for UK to 'protect democracy'
203 Comments
Senior Singles ConnectionSecretmeet Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer to axe Ed Miliband in the Spring - we can't afford to wait that long!
395 Comments
Keir Starmer tipped to sack Ed Miliband in brutal reshuffle
161 Comments
Asylum and refugee costs could devour third of UK aid budget
171 Comments
Rachel Reeves slashes 'green' spending to find billions more for defence
134 Comments
Three reasons Donald Trump can sit back and reflect on seven days of triumph
61 Comments
Keir Starmer sparks diplomatic row after failing to invite 3 counties to Ukraine summit
292 Comments
POLL: Should Keir Starmer back Trump, Zelensky or try and stay neutral?
197 Comments
Russia economy bombshell as Trump aide says 'extraordinary opportunities' for US deals
64 Comments
Keir Starmer reveals how UK and France plan to end Ukraine war
341 Comments
Rod Stewart issues urgent six-word warning to Starmer after heated Trump and Zelensky row
145 Comments
Keir Starmer unveils four-point plan for Ukraine peace to present to Donald Trump
176 Comments
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
23 Comments
Keir Starmer's right-hand man sends message to Zelensky after Donald Trump row
259 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to cancel 'bully' Trump's visit to meet the King
102 Comments
Elon Musk calls on US to quit NATO as tensions soar after furious Trump and Zelensky row
377 Comments
Access all TV channels anywhere, anytimeTechno Mag
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
医师「涂抹後斑点就会消失喔」40多岁女性的脸1个月就激变japonelifeskeem-hk.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
10 Celebrities Without Makeup; Number 10 Will Shock YouTelehealth Dave
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
三个月内两度赴加沙 - 经歷同事战火中丧生无国界医生（香港）
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
These actions will do more than warm words to hold the vital transatlantic partnership together. We will have to do this. Our only choice is when.
Sponsored
InvestructorShe Was Everyone's Dream Girl In 90's, This Is Her Recently
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Now – or when Europe’s borders are breached? The former will be at a price that is hard to bear. The second at an unbearable price.