Starmer resists calls to raise UK defence spending above 2.5%

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure to increase defense spending beyond the promised 2.5% of GDP amid calls from military leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump, who advocates for allies to spend up to 5%. Starmer is set to attend an emergency summit in Paris to discuss Ukraine's peace negotiations, after which he will meet Trump in Washington. Despite military chiefs arguing that current spending levels are inadequate for national security, Downing Street has reaffirmed its commitment to the 2.5% target without any immediate plans to accelerate it. A timeline for reaching this target is expected to be announced in the coming months. Tensions within the Labour leadership are evident, as some reports suggest Starmer might overrule Chancellor Rachel Reeves on defense spending decisions. The situation underscores the broader discussions on Europe's security role and the possible need for a unified European military force, as emphasized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.