Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Nigel Farage of “fawning over Putin” because Reform MPs failed to appear at a Commons debate about Ukraine. He said: “ Nigel Farage didn’t turn up to the debate in Parliament today. Nigel Farage is fawning over Putin. That’s not patriotism."

Keir Starmer will give a press conference in No10 ahead of his visit to Washington DC to meet Donald Trump as the future of Europe hangs in the balance due to the threat of Vladimir Putin

Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to increase UK's defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and aim for 3% in the next parliament. Funded by cuts to international aid, this move aims to bolster European security amid tensions with Russia and align with NATO's goals.

Readers are split on the prime minister’s proposals for a European ‘reassurance force’, debating Britain's military readiness, war escalation risks, and the UK’s duty to counter Russia

The leaders of France and Britain are both due to meet with President Trump this week. Approaches previously tried with him may no longer work.

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

At a press conference following the funding announcement, Sir Keir was repeatedly challenged on whether the new US president was effectively setting UK government policy  - given he has long called for European countries to boost defence spending.