A recent increase in government spending will focus on bolstering air defences, naval ships, and drones, according to the i newspaper. The Ministry of Defence’s budget is set to rise to 2.7% by 2027, as fears mount over a potential reduction in US military support for Europe. Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need to reinforce military capabilities in light of the ongoing threat posed by Vladimir Putin, framing the spending boost as the largest since the Cold War period.
The Guardian highlights Starmer’s call for the UK to be prepared to “fight for peace” in Europe, underscoring the significance of the defense spending surge. The Daily Mail, on the other hand, draws attention to the government’s decision to fund the increase by cutting foreign aid. Addressing the Commons, Starmer warned of an impending “era of hard power,” a sentiment echoed in the Mail’s headline.
In response to the defense budget increase, the Daily Mirror expresses concern over the reduction in the international aid budget to accommodate the new military expenditures. The Financial Times reports on a deal between Ukraine and the US, granting American companies access to valuable rare earth minerals in Ukraine, potentially leading to security guarantees from the White House. The Daily Telegraph features an op-ed from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging European nations to boost defense spending, scheduled to be discussed at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Kyiv officials have announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington to finalize the agreement with the US over rare earth minerals, as reported by The Times. President Trump’s efforts to secure access to Ukraine’s mineral deposits in exchange for aid provided against Russian forces are highlighted as a key motivation for the agreement
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