British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that he would fulfill his election campaign commitment to increase UK defense spending to 2,5 percent of GDP, but underlined that he would only do so when the country could afford it and after a review of the strategy. of defense.
"I am committed to that 2,5 percent within our fiscal rules, but first that strategic review has to be done," Starmer said while leaving for the NATO summit in Washington.
Starmer, whose Labor Party won a landslide election victory last Sunday, has made fiscal prudence a key part of his campaign.
In 2014, members of the transatlantic alliance agreed to allocate two percent of their GDP to defense in order to ensure NATO's military readiness. This year, 23 out of 32 member states achieved that goal, but more and more countries, faced with the growing threat from Russia, are calling for an increase to 2,5 percent or more.
An analysis of UK defense spending published in April by the previous Conservative government showed that NATO-eligible defense spending is expected to be 2,32 per cent of GDP in the 2024-2025 financial year.
Starmer said Labor plans to carry out a review of Britain's defense challenges and capabilities.
During his first international trip as prime minister, Starmer is expected to try to raise Britain's profile on the international stage, hoping to use his large majority in parliament as a sign that his government is a stable partner.
He said the summit would be an opportunity to show unity after the rocket attack on the children's hospital in Kyiv.
"My message is very, very clear: this NATO summit is an opportunity for allies to strengthen their resolve together, especially in light of that terrible attack, against Russian aggression," he said.
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