Quotes
The best thing we could do is divert all our effort to help Ukraine keep pressure on Russia.”
A former UK forces chief said The best thing Britain can offer is command and control in the form of an HQ. But if you’re the country providing the headquarters, you have to put in troops as well.”
The presidents agreed to leave behind this absolutely ridiculous period in US-Russia relations, when they essentially didn’t speak.”
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said If it’s real negotiations, Ukraine will have to be involved. And the Europeans as they have sanctions on Russia.”
The only way to get concessions from Putin is if he is under pressure.”
We cannot recognise any agreements about us without us.”
I don’t know if there’s anything for them to do at the negotiating table.”
The policy is still to set a path to 2.5 per cent.
A government source dismissed reports Sir Keir was going to overrule his Chancellor and increase defence spending beyond the existing target and added Unless Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves can find ways of producing more money, well beyond 2.5 per cent towards 3 per cent or 3.5 per cent for starters, then this Strategic Defence Review is going to be hollow, it's going to be a failure and, frankly, it'll consign Keir Starmer to the bin of history.
My reaction is the Prime Minister is doing the right thing
Frankly, we haven't got the numbers and we haven't got the equipment to put a large force onto the ground for an extended period of time at the present moment.
Lord Dannatt later went on We'll do the Strategic Defence Review then set it out.
Asked if the announcement of the roadmap will now be sped up, the insider said Well, as I say, we came into government with a clear commitment to get up to 2.5 per cent and we're having to do that alongside grappling with a wide range of challenges
Asked if the pressure was on to go beyond 2.5 per cent, he said Our Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5 per cent.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said We must be clear that peace cannot come at any cost
These crucial days ahead will determine the future security of our continent
I am heading to Paris today with a very clear message for our European friends
While European nations must step up in this moment - and we will - US support will remain critical and a US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again.
The premier, who is due to visit Mr Trump in Washington later this month, said We don't dispute that over the course of the last decade Britain's defence has been run down by our Conservative predecessors.
It is critical that we get confirmation of a sustained spending increase as soon as possible, so that we can commence the critical task of rearmament that should have started months ago,
