PM backs Trump's calls for Nato allies to boost defence spending ahead of US visit

Donald Trump is right to pile pressure on Nato allies to boost their defence budgets, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Ahead of a meeting with the US president, the prime minister said the UK and Europe “have to do more for our defence and security” as he prepares to outline a pathway to spending 2.5 per cent of Britain’s GDP on defence.

Sir Keir said talks to end the war in Ukraine mark “a generational moment”, promising to “play our role if a force is required in Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached”.

And in an appeal to Mr Trump, who has so far ruled out playing an ongoing role in any peacekeeping force in Ukraine, the PM said America must be part of any security guarantee to stop Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine again.

Sir Keir will meet Mr Trump face to face in Washington this week and is expected to present plans to hike Britain’s defence budget to the 2.5 per cent target, up from 2.3 per cent currently. He is also expected to extend an invitation from the King for a state visit to the UK, making Mr Trump the first US president to receive two state visits.