UK PM Starmer Faces Nato Pressure on Defence Spending

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is heading into this week's Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey on under rising pressure, with senior US officials signalling dissatisfaction over the UK's defence spending plans and warning that alliance members falling behind must accelerate their commitments. The summit, scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, Turkey, is expected to be one of Starmer's final major international engagements as prime minister. It comes just days after the UK government unveiled its Defence Investment Plan (DIP) on July 3, committing an additional £15 billion to defence while drawing criticism from some Nato allies over the pace of spending increases. Speaking ahead of the summit, Matt Whitaker, the US ambassador to Nato, said some alliance members were not moving quickly enough to strengthen defence spending. "Some allies are doing more than others. Poland, the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries lead the way. But many others are lagging behind," Whitaker was quoted as saying by The Independent. He also added that US President Donald Trump expects all Nato members to move towards the alliance's 5 per cent spending target "as soon as possible." Although Whitaker did not name specific countries, British officials are understood to believe Washington views the UK as among those failing to increase spending rapidly enough.

Britain's spending plan faces scrutiny

Under the Defence Investment Plan, the UK's defence expenditure is projected to rise gradually from about 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2027 to 2.7 per cent by 2030, with the government aiming to reach 3 per cent during the next parliamentary term. However, Nato members agreed at last year's summit that allies should work towards spending at least 3.5 per cent of GDP on core defence by 2035, alongside broader security-related investments taking total spending to 5 per cent. Critics argue Britain's current roadmap lacks sufficient urgency to meet those ambitions.

Questions over political transition

The summit also comes amid uncertainty over Britain's political leadership, with speculation that Andy Burnham could soon replace Starmer as prime minister. New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has called for the next government to provide a clearer funding path towards Nato's long-term spending target, saying future spending reviews should demonstrate a credible trajectory towards 3.5 per cent of GDP. Jarvis also said he had already been in touch with Burnham's team to discuss defence priorities and expressed confidence that sufficient resources would be made available if Burnham takes office.

Trump expected to raise issue directly

According to British media reports, Whitehall officials expect Trump to personally press Starmer over defence spending during the summit. A senior US official was quoted as saying the American president has already made clear where he believes allies are underperforming and would deliver that message directly, with any consequences to be communicated at the time. Trump has repeatedly argued that the US shoulders a disproportionate share of Nato's defence burden. Last week, he renewed his criticism of European allies, claiming Washington spends far more on the alliance than other members while receiving limited benefits in return. The diplomatic tensions coincide with heightened military activity in northern Europe. The UK's Ministry of Defence said British Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets recently intercepted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft after it repeatedly approached the HMS Prince of Wales in the Norwegian Sea. According to the ministry, the Russian aircraft flew at low altitude and deployed sonar devices near the carrier before being escorted away by British jets.