Lord Cameron says the UK recognizes its responsibilities by increasing its defense budget, but admits more needs to be done. Photo: Anadolu/Dursun Aydemir
The UK must increase its defense budget in response to the threat posed by Russia, Lord Cameron said.
The Foreign Secretary said that although the UK had recently increased its budget faster than other NATO countries, he recognized “the need to increase defense spending.”
Lord Cameron told the Daily Mail: “Between 2020 and 2025 years we will increase the defense budget by £24 billion, which will be the biggest increase since the Cold War, and we have a growing defense budget.
“But as the Prime Minister, the Defense Secretary and the Chancellor have said, we we will spend more, and we recognize the need to increase defense spending.”
The Foreign Secretary said he would not give an exact date. when the promised 2.5 percent defense target is achieved, adding that “these issues must be resolved at the Cabinet table in a collective and confidential manner.”
He added: “But you have a growing defense budget , you have Britain accepting its responsibility and a leading member of the two percent club.”
“NATO allies must commit more money”
By Grant Shapps The Defense Secretary said earlier this week that “we must urgently think again about the future of the Alliance” as the West faces threats from Russia, China and Iran.
He wrote in The Telegraph: “ Alliance members must do more to recoup their costs. American taxpayers are not wrong to expect NATO allies to cough up more money.” He said the bloc must “go beyond” NATO's 2 percent target, which Britain already exceeds, adding: “We We can’t afford to play Russian roulette with our future.”
Lord Cameron's speech came after he told allies at the NATO summit in Brussels that spending two per cent on defense, which 19 countries failed to do last year, was “the best way to prepare for the US elections in the autumn”.
These words were perceived by many as a reference to Donald Trump's possible victory in the US elections in November.
“Whoever the new president is, if they see that NATO is strong and growing, and spending is over 2 percent, and Sweden and Finland – countries with high potential – are members, the new president will want to invest in that success and be a part of that. success,” he said.
“And it’s the same with Ukraine. If by the end of this year Putin loses several hundred thousand more troops, doesn't gain a significant amount of territory, loses even more of his Black Sea Fleet, and you see Russia succumbing to the strain, then the new or re-elected president will see that Ukraine is an issue “worth investing in,” added Lord Cameron.
75th NATO meeting… foreign ministers meeting… and what should happen next .twitter.com/bvat4wu84C
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) April 4, 2024 “Future US funding will be hugely important”
US Republicans are divided over aid to Ukraine and there are concerns about future funding for Kiev if Mr Trump is to return to White home.
Lord Cameron is expected to fly to Washington next week to persuade Congress to pass $60 billion in military aid, saying it was “on a knife's edge at the moment.”
“There is a chance it will happen, and it will make a huge difference.”
Currently, about 2.3 percent of GDP is spent on defense. Three former Tory defense ministers – Sir Michael Fallon, Sir Gavin Williamson and Ben Wallace – told the Telegraph last month they want the election manifesto to promise a three per cent vote.
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