Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, said, the country is set to increase its spending on defence, security and resilience to 5% of GDP by 2035 to reach an “era of radical uncertainty” – however, without promising any additional cash.
The decision which is part of a new spending agreement by the NATO alliance – was criticized as deceptive “smoke and mirrors” by critics, who pointed to the very real risk of heightening conflict between Iran, the US and Israel.
The UK PM, President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, alongside the other leaders of NATO’s thirty-two (32) member states are expected to approve the investment goal when they meet at a summit in The Hague, which opens later today.
The announcement will be seen as a victory for the US Leader, who has made the demand since to his allies to spend more on their own defences instead of relying on American military.
Trump claimed to have clinched another victory, declaring that Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire – just hours after Iran fired missiles against two American military bases in retaliation to an American decision to strike three (3) Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.
PM Starmer said: “We must navigate this era of radical uncertainty with agility, speed and a clear-eyed sense of the national interest to deliver security for working people and keep them safe.
“That’s why I have made the commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. This is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to NATO and drive greater investment in the nation’s wider security and resilience.”
Photo: UK PM Keir Starmer. Reuters
