Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will increase its annual defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, Al Jazeera reports.
This commitment signals the UK’s intention to bolster European security as the United States leads discussions with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine.
Speaking before his visit to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump, Starmer told the British parliament that bringing forward the increase would provide greater support to Europe. The increased spending will translate to an additional 13.4 billion pounds ($17 billion) per year for defence from 2027. In the 2023-2024 financial year, the UK’s Ministry of Defence reported spending 53.9 billion pounds ($68.3 billion).
“We must go further still. I have long argued that … all European allies must step up and do more for our own defence,” Starmer said.
The increase in defence spending will be partially funded by a reduction in the country’s international aid budget, from 0.5 percent to 0.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2027.
Starmer acknowledged his displeasure in announcing the cut to the aid budget but emphasized its necessity in providing support to Ukraine and Europe in what he termed a “new era.”
The UK previously reduced its aid budget in November 2020, during the economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, lowering the level to 0.5 percent of GDP from 0.7 percent.
During his meeting with Trump, Starmer aims to convey the UK’s commitment to leading other European countries in providing greater support to the NATO alliance – a recurring demand from Trump, who has suggested nations should spend 5 percent of GDP on defence.
He also intends to reassure Trump that Europe will offer support and security guarantees to Kyiv should peace talks with Russia prove successful.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Trump on Monday with a similar objective. Concerns have been raised in Europe regarding the US commitment to its security, following the negotiations between senior US and Russian diplomats without Ukrainian or European leaders.
Trump stated on Monday that “a lot of progress has been made” in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
