Boris Johnson Leads Conservative Call For Increased UK Defence Spending To Ensure European Security Against Russian Aggression

In a bold move on the anniversary of the Ukraine conflict, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined a chorus of Conservatives urging for a significant increase in the UK’s defence budget.

From Kyiv, Johnson called on the UK government to ramp up defence spending to at least three percent of the country’s GDP by 2030.

He argued that the current level of 2.5 percent is inadequate to ensure the security of Europe in the face of rising Russian threats.

The Case for Troops in Ukraine and Defence Spending Boost

Johnson’s call for higher defence spending was accompanied by another strong proposal: the deployment of British troops to Ukraine as part of a post-conflict stabilisation force.

He suggested that this move would send a powerful message, undermining President Putin’s claim over Ukraine.

However, this suggestion was met with a strong rebuttal from the Kremlin, which has consistently opposed any NATO forces occupying Ukrainian territory following a ceasefire.

Jeremy Hunt’s Proposal to Slash Welfare for Defence Spending

Meanwhile, former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt proposed an alternative plan to fund the defence increase.

He recommended slashing the welfare budget and returning welfare payments to pre-pandemic levels.

Hunt argued this could free up £40 billion over the next five years, enough to boost defence spending to 3.4 percent of GDP.

He added that such a move would align the UK more closely with the United States in terms of defence spending, a strategy that could potentially appeal to President Trump, who has expressed a desire to pull US troops out of Europe.

Lord Dannatt and the Call for Reform in Defence Spending

Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, echoed these calls for increased defence spending, stressing that the current level of 2.3 percent is insufficient for the security of the UK and Europe.

He supported Johnson’s and Hunt’s proposals, arguing that more needs to be done to protect Europe from potential aggression, particularly from Russia.

Strategic Importance of US Support in NATO

Hunt also emphasized the strategic importance of keeping the United States fully committed to NATO.

He highlighted that without US support, the defense of Europe would not be credible, particularly in scenarios where Russia might target smaller NATO members like Estonia or Latvia.

The former Chancellor expressed that ensuring US involvement in NATO would be a pivotal moment for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s tenure.

Hunt suggested that if Europe could demonstrate a serious commitment to defence spending, it might convince the US to stay on board with NATO, ultimately strengthening the alliance.

Zelensky’s Frustration with Trump and Defence Spending Debate

Lord Dannatt also spoke about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s frustration with former President Trump’s stance on the war in Ukraine.

He pointed to Trump’s efforts to negotiate directly with Russia over Ukraine, which he believes gave Zelensky ample reason to feel upset.

On defence spending, Dannatt reiterated that 2.5 percent of GDP was insufficient for the UK’s security needs, further supporting the call for an increase beyond 3 percent.

In this context, it’s clear that both the UK and Europe face crucial decisions regarding their defence budgets in the coming years.

With the situation in Ukraine continuing to evolve, the stakes for ensuring European security are higher than ever, and the push for increased defence spending will undoubtedly continue to dominate political discussions.

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