Sir Keir Starmer has warned of a “generational challenge” when it comes to national security as he called Ukraine the “frontline” of Europe.
The prime minister, speaking ahead of an emergency meeting of European leaders, said: “We’re facing a generational challenge when it comes to national security.
“Obviously, the immediate question is the future of Ukraine and we must continue to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position whatever happens next, and to make sure that if there is peace – and we all want peace – that it is lasting.
“I think there’s a bigger piece here as well, which is that this isn’t just about the frontline in Ukraine.
“It’s the frontline of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It’s our national security.”
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Sir Keir will meet European leaders in Paris today after Donald Trump said the US no longer sees the defence of Europe as its primary concern – a major policy change after 80 years.
The US president called for Europe to spend more on the war in Ukraine, and the US to spend less.
US officials are meeting Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia today to negotiate the end of the war – however, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is on a state visit to neighbouring United Arab Emirates, said he was not informed and Ukraine will not be around the table.
No European representatives will be either, which has prompted the emergency meeting in Paris.
Sir Keir said he wants the UK and “all European allies to step up” when it comes to funding and training to defend Ukraine if there is a peace agreement.
The PM said he wants the UK to play a leading part in that.
“We are in this generational point, really, where we do need to step up across Europe in terms of our capability, our funding and our commitment to defence, because this isn’t just about Ukraine, it is about our own national security” he said.
“And that’s why my message will be that we’ve all got to step up across Europe.”
He added that he thinks the US, Europe and the UK do still have a “huge amount of overlap in terms of what we’re trying to achieve, which is that lasting peace and dealing with the threat that is there from Russia”.
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Over the weekend, Sir Keir said he is “ready and willing” to put British troops in Ukraine in a peacekeeping role.
On Monday, he said the UK has to spend more on defence as “that’s the reality of the situation we find ourselves in”.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, an increase from the current 2.3%, but said “we’ll set out that path” only when the strategic review of defence is published.
“But part of my message to our European allies is that we’ve all got to step up on both capability and on spending and funding,” he said.
“That includes the UK, which is why we’ve made that commitment to spend more.”
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Earlier, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News the war in Ukraine is “the frontline for all of us” in Europe.
He said 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.
“There is no greater priority for any government or any government worthy of the name than the security of the nation,” he said.
