Starmer warns about potential Russian threats to Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed strong concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin. He fears that Russia might try to leave Ukraine vulnerable after a peace agreement is reached. In an interview, Starmer emphasized the importance of NATO unity to protect Europe. Starmer mentioned that the reality of Europe’s security issues became clear over three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. He believes this moment should inspire a stronger commitment to ensure peace in the region. He stated that Europe cannot choose between aligning more with the US or Europe, suggesting that both are important. Starmer is working on building a multinational coalition to help secure Ukraine after any peace deal. He pointed out that NATO rejected Russia's proposal for a peacekeeping force but remains determined to form a "coalition of the willing" to protect Ukraine's borders and safety. Amidst the ongoing discussions, Starmer noted that he does not trust Putin. He believes that a deal could allow Russia to re-enter Ukraine without resistance. He also commented on the challenges in getting European countries to contribute more to security efforts. In this context, Starmer is trying to strengthen the relationship between the US and UK, especially with former President Donald Trump. He met Trump and has worked to improve communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address concerns about a potential ceasefire with Russia. Looking to the future, Starmer plans to increase military spending in Britain to 2.5% of the GDP by 2027, and possibly even to 3% in the following decade. He highlighted the need for a re-evaluation of defense strategies in light of the changing security landscape in Europe.