Returning from NATO summit, British prime minister pledges to increase defense spending

Shortly after returning from the NATO summit in the US, on July 16, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a review of the British armed forces to outline a roadmap for the leading NATO member country to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP.

The UK Ministry of Defence said the "strategic defence review" would begin "immediately given the urgency of the threats facing the UK" and aimed to deliver a report in the first half of 2025.

Launched less than two weeks after the UK general election, the review is a response from the Labour-led government to attempts by the opposition Conservative Party to sow doubt about the ruling party's defence commitment.

During the election campaign, the Conservatives argued that Mr Starmer’s Labour lacked a timeframe for increased defence spending. They also declared Labour a “danger” to national security.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) speaks with Mr. Zelensky during a bilateral meeting in Washington DC, US, July 10, 2024. Photo: AP

At last week's NATO summit in Washington DC, Prime Minister Starmer reaffirmed the UK's support for the Western military alliance and his country's "serious commitment" to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence.

The review, chaired by former UK defence secretary and former NATO secretary general George Robertson, will ensure a “NATO first” policy is put at the heart of UK defence planning.

Mr Starmer said the review would ensure “defence spending is increased responsibly”.

The review will be overseen by current Defence Secretary John Healey, who said that "as we begin a new era for Britain, we need a new era for defence".

“The review will ensure that defence is central to Britain’s future security and to its economic growth and prosperity,” added Minister Healey.

The UK defence secretary urged NATO to consider moving towards the 2.5% target at a summit marking the 75th anniversary of the transatlantic alliance last week. The 2% target was agreed to by NATO allies in 2014.

Other specific goals of the review include enhancing Ukraine's capabilities in a conflict with Russia, as well as modernizing and maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Accordingly, the NATO summit is the first major international event that Mr. Starmer attended as British Prime Minister. Mr. Starmer declared that his message to the world is that the UK is "back", after many years of difficult relations with European neighbors due to Brexit and internal problems.

The British prime minister has put security – including the economy, energy and defence – at the heart of his plans. He wants to rebuild relations with the EU after Brexit, including signing a defence and security pact with the 27-nation bloc, while reassuring Ukraine that there will be no change in British support.

At the conference, Mr Starmer pledged £3 billion ($3.9 billion) worth of military aid to Ukraine each year until 2030-2031.

Minh Duc (According to Malay Mail, Stars and Stripes)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tro-ve-tu-hoi-nghi-thuong-dinh-nato-thu-tuong-anh-cam-ket-tang-chi-tieu-quoc-phong-204240716163325077.htm