A split emerged within NATO after the UK, France, and other allies reportedly blocked plans by the Secretary General to sharply increase military aid for Ukraine. A proposal aimed to require members to spend at least 0.25% of GDP on military support for Kyiv was halted when five NATO states refused to back it. The outcome highlighted widening fractures inside the alliance. The situation is awkward for Keir Starmer’s government, which has presented Britain as a staunch backer of Ukraine. Britain contributes about £3 billion annually, roughly 0.1% of GDP, which is below the proposed threshold. The dispute follows criticism of Britain easing sanctions on Russian-origin petroleum imports, intensifying accusations that rhetoric is not matched by action.
"Rutte hoped to secure agreement at the alliance summit in Ankara on a target requiring members to spend at least 0.25 per cent of GDP on military support for Kyiv. But the proposal was halted after five NATO states refused to back it - exposing widening fractures inside the alliance."
"The development is particularly awkward for Keir Starmer , whose government has repeatedly presented Britain as one of Ukraine's staunchest backers. Britain currently contributes around £3 billion annually - roughly 0.1 per cent of GDP - making it one of the largest donors in cash terms, but still well below the proposed threshold."
"Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of "losing his moral compass" during a bruising Prime Minister's Questions clash over the Government's approach to Russian oil sanctions. Badenoch said at the time, "Labour should be ashamed. They are banning new North Sea licences here at home while lifting sanctions on Putin's oil industry abroad.""
"Ms Badenoch told MPs during PMQs: "I wonder if he is okay. He is so deep in the bunker: he is importing sanctioned Russian oil, he's nationalising steel, [and] he's imposing price controls in the supermarket. It's like the Soviets won.""
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]