British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom will increase its annual defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, signaling the country’s commitment to bolstering Europe’s security. This announcement comes ahead of Starmer’s trip to the United States later this week, where he is set to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Starmer stated that the accelerated increase in defense spending aims to provide greater support to Europe as the U.S. leads negotiations with Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The boost in spending will see the UK allocating an additional £13.4 billion ($17 billion) annually to defense starting in 2027. For context, the UK’s Ministry of Defence reported spending £53.9 billion ($68.3 billion) in the 2023–2024 financial year.
“We must go further still. I have long argued that all European allies must step up and do more for our own defense,” Starmer emphasized.
The rise in defense spending will be funded by a 40 percent reduction in the UK’s international aid budget. Specifically, the aid budget will be cut from 0.5 percent to 0.3 percent of GDP by 2027. While Starmer expressed reluctance in announcing this reduction, he described it as a necessary step to provide support to Ukraine and Europe in what he called a “new era.” The UK last reduced its aid budget in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it lowered the allocation from 0.7 percent to 0.5 percent of GDP.
During his upcoming meeting with Trump, Starmer aims to convey the UK’s intention to lead other European nations in strengthening the U.S.-led NATO military alliance. Trump has repeatedly called for NATO members to increase their defense spending, suggesting a target of 5 percent of GDP. Starmer also hopes to reassure Trump that Europe will provide support and security guarantees to Kyiv if peace talks with Russia succeed.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Trump on Monday, conveyed a similar message. Macron stated that Europe is prepared to take on a stronger role in defense and security for the continent, as well as engage more deeply on trade, economic, and investment issues.
Trump’s efforts to initiate negotiations between senior U.S. and Russian diplomats—excluding Ukrainian or European leaders—have escalated tensions, with Europe questioning Washington’s commitment to its security. Speaking at a joint press conference with Macron, Trump noted that “a lot of progress has been made” toward ending the war in Ukraine. He added that he was “pleased that President Macron agrees that the cost and burden of securing peace must be borne by the nations of Europe, not alone by the United States,” emphasizing that Europe must play a central role in ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security.
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