Ukraine war is ‘frontline for all’ in Europe, Streeting says – as PM talks of ‘UK troops on the ground’
The war in Ukraine is “the frontline for all of us” in Europe, a minister has said after Sir Keir Starmer said he is prepared to put British troops on the ground.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Wilfred Frost on Sky News Breakfast the government stands firmly behind Ukraine – not just for Ukrainians, but because Vladimir Putin’s “imperialist expansionist agenda” threatens the UK and Europe’s national security.
Politics latest: PM jets off to Paris for emergency meeting
He said: “There is no greater priority for any government or any government worthy of the name than the security of the nation.
“The prime minister feels this very strongly that the war in Ukraine isn’t just the frontline for the Ukrainians, it’s the front line for all of us on our continent and across our continent.”
His comments come as Sir Keir travels to Paris for an “emergency meeting” of European leaders on Monday after Donald Trump pushed for Europe to provide more support for Kyiv, and the US to spend less.
The US president is pushing for a deal with Mr Putin to end the war rapidly, and held a call with the Russian president about Ukraine, without Kyiv on the call.
Mr Trump and his team have appeared to undermine US policy, held for the past three years, that the West would not negotiate unless Ukraine is involved.
Pete Hegseth, the new US defence secretary, told Ukraine last week Russia would be able to keep some of the land it has taken, prompting outrage from Europe.
In Paris, Sir Keir is expected to say: “Peace comes through strength. But the reverse is also true. Weakness leads to war.”
Ahead of the meeting of European leaders on Monday, Sir Keir said he was “ready and willing” to put British troops into a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the prime minister also said the UK was “ready to play a leading role” in Ukraine’s defence and security, by committing £3bn a year until 2030.
The PM last month told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the UK would play its “full part” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
Where will Labour find the money to increase defence spending?
Wes Streeting argued the “imperial expansionist ambitions of President Putin” pose a threat to European security, and that Starmer’s promise to send UK troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force was essential to British national security.
However, in his usual candid fashion Streeting openly acknowledged the ongoing fight for cash around the cabinet table, explaining that all those in government have been contending with the economic inheritance left behind by the Conservatives.
“There is no greater priority for any government worthy of the name than the security of the nation,”, he said on the same day his big announcement about delivering two million extra NHS appointments seven months ahead of schedule.
This signals that tough decisions and compromises may need to be taken in order to protect national security and deter Russia from further invasions of sovereign territory.
As the strategic defence review continues while the US demands Europeans increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP, the health secretary did not rule out tax hikes to boost the armed forces.
Streeting insisted manifesto pledges were made in good faith at the time of the election, but if the government is to appease military chiefs hammering for a figure closer to 2.65% of GDP, where will Labour find the money?
If Starmer decides to go further than his current target – spending 2.5.% of GDP on defence – it will be Chancellor Rachel Reeves lumbered with the unenviable job of taking yet more money off the public during a cost of living crisis or cutting already struggling public services.
Conservative shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns said she was “quite cautious” about committing to putting boots on the ground as the UK does not yet know what the terms and conditions of that would mean, because Russia is still actively at war with Ukraine.
Ms Kearns, a former chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said: “I just think we’re not in that place as yet – things are going to change over the next few hours, let alone the next few days, weeks and months.”
Read more:
UK must quickly raise defence spending – or face cuts
Starmer’s diplomatic contortions are getting more extreme
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘We’ll play our full part’ in Ukraine, PM tells Sky’s Beth Rigby
Sir Keir is set to travel to Washington DC next week for his first in-person meeting with Mr Trump since he won the election. Another meeting of European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected to take place after that.
As Mr Trump’s administration essentially ripped up the rules-based post-world war order, his vice president, JD Vance, yet again called for other NATO members to spend more on defence.
The UK currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defence but is aiming for 2.5%, however, Mr Trump has demanded each NATO member spends 5%.
Read more: Trump’s big shift puts European security in doubt
Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donetsk. Pic: Press Service of the 24th King Danylo Separate Mechanized Brigade/Reuters
Mr Streeting said it would be a struggle to reach 2.5% due to the “dire finances” Labour inherited from the Conservative government, but said there was no higher priority than the UK and Europe’s security.
“We don’t treat our manifesto lightly,” he said.
“We made all of those commitments in good faith, and we are determined to carry them out and to deliver every single one of them in the same good faith.
“That’s the work all of us are committed to doing. You know, we don’t pretend that the choices we face are easy, but we didn’t ask to come into government for an easy ride.”
Emmanuel Macron, seen here with Sir Keir Starmer at the PM’s country residence last month, has called the emergency meeting. Pic: Reuters
Defence sources told Sky News an increase to 2.5% of GDP – which would amount to about an extra £5bn annually – is still far short of what is required to rebuild and transform the armed forces, stressing that an ultimate hike to at least 3% of national income would be necessary.
But the sources said a rapid rise in investment to the government’s promised target of 2.5% of GDP, from 2.3% at present, should prevent new swingeing reductions in capabilities.
US officials, including US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, and Russian counterparts are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks this week, however, Ukrainian officials are not expected to be at the table.