Keir Starmer ‘to overrule Chancellor on defence spending hike’ as he braces for crucial European summit on Ukraine – before heading to meet Trump in wake of JD Vance attack

Keir Starmer is poised to overrule the Chancellor to hike defence spending as he braces for a crucial European summit on Ukraine.

The PM could force through an increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP despite concerns from Rachel Reeves.

Pressure to bolster the military has been ramped up by the dramatic shift in the US, with Donald Trump causing panic in Nato by unilaterally launching peace talks with Vladimir Putin.

Vice President JD Vance launched a searing attack on Europe’s position at the Munich security conference on Friday – also singling out the UK as he claimed free speech values were being eroded.  

Sir Keir said he will ‘work to ‘keep the US and Europe together’ ahead of the summit being arranged tomorrow by French president Emmanuel Macron.

The PM is expected to take the messages from the meeting – yet to be formally confirmed – to Washington the following week when he meets President Trump.

A further meeting of European leaders, including Ukraine president Volodymur Zelensky, is likely when Sir Keir returns.

Keir Starmer is poised to overrule the Chancellor to hike defence spending as he braces for a crucial European summit on Ukraine

Pressure to bolster the military has been ramped up by the dramatic shift in the US, with Donald Trump (pictured) causing panic in Nato by unilaterally launching peace talks with Vladimir Putin

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted his country will never expect a peace deal done without its involvement

The PM said: ‘This is a once-in-a-generation moment for our national security where we engage with the reality of the world today and the threat we face from Russia.

‘It’s clear Europe must take on a greater role in Nato as we work with the United States to secure Ukraine’s future and face down the threat we face from Russia.

‘The UK will work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together. We cannot allow any divisions in the alliance to distract from the external enemies we face.’

The prospect of Mr Macron convening a meeting of European leaders emerged during a dramatic day at the Munich Security Conference, where diplomats and politicians from around the world had gathered.

In his keynote speech, Mr Zelensky said ‘we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it’.

Mr Zelensky said: ‘A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot.

‘The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.’

He said the ‘time has come, the armed forces of Europe must be created’.

Mr Trump and the Russian dictator had ‘a lengthy and highly productive’ phone conversation last week, during which they agreed that talks to end the conflict should start ‘immediately’.

But Washington has signalled that any peace deal is expected to see Russia keep territory it has annexed since 2014, including the Crimean peninsula – a huge blow to Kyiv after three years of fighting for freedom. 

There was also deep disquiet that Ukraine joining Nato – an official policy of the alliance – had been effectively ruled out. 

Sir Keir put himself on a potential collision course with Mr Trump by telling Mr Zelensky in a call on Friday that Kyiv is on an ‘irreversible path’ to joining Nato.

According to the Sunday Times, Ms Reeves is still resisting increasing defence budgets above 2.3 per cent of GDP in the looming spending review.

However, Downing Street sources have been stressing that the final decision lies with the PM. 

Defence chiefs are said to have been arguing for 2.65 per cent, above Labour’s target of 2.5 per cent – a level for which there is currently no timetable to reach.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy indicated his support for faster rises on Friday, pointing out that during the Cold War spending had hit 7 per cent of GDP.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: ‘The whole Cabinet, the whole Government, I think most people in this country recognise the pressures the world is under, recognise more will have to be spent on defence.

‘Now the spending review will set out the roadmap towards that target.’

He told Sky News: ‘The Chancellor knows more than most people the pressures on public services across the board, but defence has to be the cornerstone of our national prosperity as well as our security.

‘There’s a whole range of things the UK does. Our contribution to the intelligence services, for instance, should be considered, I think, as part of that contribution to collective Western security.’

The UK is already one of the biggest contributors in Nato, with US frustration previously aimed at countries such as Germany. 

US officials and Russian counterparts are expected to hold talks in Saudi Arabia ahead of an anticipated meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin.

Mr Zelensky said: ‘Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement.’

Mr Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, said European leaders will not have a place at the negotiating table in a discussion to end the Ukraine war, despite the fact that European forces are likely to play a major role in securing any peace deal.

Retired general Mr Kellogg said the negotiations would be between Russia and Ukraine, with Mr Trump acting as mediator – but Europe would still be able to have an input.

‘To think that he’s going to do this alone is wrong, we never said that,’ Mr Kellogg told the Munich Security Conference.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Vance suggested that the erosion of free speech in Europe was a bigger threat than Russia.

He singled out ‘very dear friends the United Kingdom’ over a ‘backslide in conscience rights’.

He pointed to the case of ‘the British government’ charging an Army veteran for standing ’50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own’.

Mr Vance said the veteran had been found ‘guilty of (breaking) the Government’s new buffer zones law, which criminalises silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person’s decision within 200 metres of abortion facility’.

Mr Trump and the Russian dictator (pictured) had ‘a lengthy and highly productive’ phone conversation last week, during which they agreed that talks to end the conflict should start ‘immediately’

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Vance suggested that the erosion of free speech in Europe was a bigger threat than Russia

‘He was sentenced to pay thousands of pounds in legal costs to the prosecution… in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat,’ Mr Vance added.

In England, where the incident took place, buffer zones apply within 150 metres of an abortion clinic. In Scotland, the zones apply within 200 metres.

The case also preceded the enforcement of the Public Order Act 2023, which introduced the new rules on safe access zones outside all abortion clinics following a free vote in Parliament that received cross-party support.

Instead the charge was breaching a public space protection order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which banned activity including protests, harassment and vigils.

Proponents of safe access zones say women using a clinic can feel intimidated and distressed by the presence of someone standing in the area praying, even if they are not speaking. Critics argue the rule undermines the right to freedom of religion and free speech.

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