Quotes
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 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 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 I am heading to Paris today with a very clear message for our European friends
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 These crucial days ahead will determine the future security of our continent
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 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 must be clear that peace cannot come at any cost
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,
The US is really the interlocutor that Russia wants to speak to,
Matthew Karnitschnig, editor in chief at Euractiv told CNN’s Rosemary Church on Monday Phase two is absolutely going to begin,
he told Bartiromo, noting US has all of the leverage,
analyst says, as European leaders scramble to respond to Ukraine talks No time set, but it could be very soon.”
On meeting Putin in Saudi Arabia, Trump said I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never. The war in Ukraine is against us, and it is our human losses.”
In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Zelenskyy said A process towards peace is not a one-meeting thing.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed during an hour-long call last week Nothing's been finalized yet,
