UK pledges annual £3bn support for Ukraine indefinitely, states Starmer

The incoming administration remains committed to allocating at least £3bn annually towards military support for Ukraine indefinitely as long as necessary during its ongoing conflict with Russia. This pledge was articulated by Keir Starmer following his inaugural bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which took place at the recent Nato summit in Washington.

After discussing matters of military support at these official meetings, Prime Minister Starmer declared that ongoing aid would continue until 2030-31. To date, approximately £12bn has been provided by the UK for Ukraine since February 2022, with around £7.1bn specifically directed towards military assistance. The remainder is intended to offer humanitarian and economic support.

During his discussion with Zelenskiy, Starmer emphasised that Ukraine's journey toward Nato membership has become irreversible. However, diplomatic sources at the summit highlighted how outlining a specific timeline for this goal could potentially be advantageous to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Prime Minister plans on addressing fellow leaders at the summit with these sentiments: "Nato was founded by those who successfully combatted fascism, valuing both our strength and our shared values. These principles are now being contested once again, and it's crucial for Putin to hear a clear declaration from this meeting – one of unity and determination, assuring Ukraine that we will provide unwavering support in preserving these shared values."

UK officials have stated their focus on strengthening the alliance despite uncertainty surrounding possible US presidential election outcomes. Starmer urges Nato partners to bolster defence spending due to rising global threats, including Russian aggression. This push comes as he launches a review of UK plans for increased military funding amidst increasing global uncertainties.

He highlights Ukraine's role in safeguarding the Euro-Atlantic region and stresses that international backing must remain steadfast against relentless Russian threats. A key concern raised by Kyiv is seeking long-term financial commitments from Nato states to ensure preparedness for potential conflict with Russia. The UK intends to provide further military equipment, including artillery systems and 90 Brimstone missiles in the near future.

The government plans to commence a strategic defence review next week, though it is anticipated that completion of this process could take up to one year. This has led to pressure on Starmer regarding announcing timelines for increased UK defence spending to reach its targeted 2.5% GDP contribution. However, Defence Minister Luke Pollard has expressed the belief that economic growth should precede such increases in military spending.

Despite this viewpoint, a senior Downing Street official suggested unwavering commitment towards the 2.5% defence spending target regardless of any potential economic constraints or obstacles to achieve it. This statement came after Prime Minister Starmer's first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden at Nato's welcome event and during their subsequent discussions in Washington and later, the White House.

Starmer presented a personal gift to Biden, an Arsenal football shirt with his name emblazoned on it (46th president), following their initial handshake before cameras. The Prime Minister is known for his passion for football and has previously given similar gifts to Macron, the French President. This gesture included a framed original Atlantic Charter that led to Nato's formation, with amendments made by Clement Attlee, then Labour Party leader.