British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged European nations to fortify NATO through increased military spending and closer collaboration, warning that excessive dependence on the United States must give way to greater self-reliance amid escalating threats from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Addressing the Munich Security Conference, Starmer described the continent as facing a pivotal shift, with Moscow’s actions signaling potential attacks on the alliance by decade’s end.
“All of the warning signs are there. Russia has proved its appetite for aggression, bringing terrible suffering to the Ukrainian people,” he said, noting over a million Russian casualties in the conflict but cautioning against complacency as the Kremlin rebuilds its forces.
Starmer emphasized the need for a “more European NATO,” advocating deeper UK-EU ties across defence, industry and technology to foster interdependence rather than overreliance on Washington.
“The US remains an indispensable power. Its contribution to European security over 80 years is unparalleled,” he acknowledged, but added: “The US National Security Strategy spells out that Europe must take primary responsibility for its own defence. That is the new law.”
Criticizing inefficiencies in Europe’s fragmented defence sector — such as over 20 frigate types and 10 fighter jets compared to America’s streamlined approach — Starmer called for unified procurement and a 5 percent spending target on security.
“Europe is a sleeping giant. Our economies dwarf Russia more than ten times over,” he declared, urging a break from “bad habits” enabled by the US umbrella.
He highlighted Britain’s contributions, including £500 million in fresh aid for Ukrainian air defences, joint missile development with Germany, Italy and France, and a major warship pact with Norway to counter submarines. Starmer also announced the deployment of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic this year, pledging unwavering commitment to NATO’s Article 5.
Rebuking political extremes “soft on Russia” and “weak on NATO,” Starmer stressed building public support for tough choices. “There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain,” he affirmed, positioning the UK post-Brexit as a proactive partner in continental renewal.
