Starmer wants Nato to ‘lock in’ Trump proof military aid plan for Ukraine

Keir Starmer has indicated that he hopes the Nato summit in Washington will “Trump proof” aid to Ukraine to help it hold off Russia.

Speaking to journalists on hisflight over to the summit in the USA, the new prime minister insisted that the defence and security of Britain and its allies will be his first priority.

But he again declined to give a timetable for when his “iron clad commitment” to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent will come into force.

His comments came as it emerged he had not been included in a discussion on air cover for Ukraine organised by the US government and including other allies.

But Sir Keir made it clear in the press briefing that he believes the summit over the next few days will “lock in” financial aid to Ukraine for its war effort.

His statement came when asked if the allies could “Trump proof” any deal, with the threat that if Donald Trump retakes the White House he will pull the plug on money and weapons for the war.

He said: “On the question of how we show that commitment here at this summit given there is going to be an election in America later this year, I think it’s very important at this summit, and I think there is a real opportunity for real unity.

“It’s the largest group of Nato countries together with the additions that we’ve got, and the package that we are seeking to advance, it goes beyond the support that’s been put in before and will be locked in, I hope, at this Nato conference.

“That’s the financial package, that’s the military aid, and the strand that is the industrial strategy as well which is really important given what Russia is doing in this in terms of its industrial backup strategy."

On defence spending, Sir Keir insisted he would prioritise it over