Quotes
Labour stated in its manifesto a commitment to set a path to 2.5 per cent and that remains the policy of the Government.
A government source said
Well, as I say, we came into government with a clear commitment to get up to 2.5 per cent and we're having to do that alongside grappling with a wide range of challenges
Asked if the pressure was on to go beyond 2.5 per cent, he saidUnless Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves can find ways of producing more money, well beyond 2.5 per cent towards 3 per cent or 3.5 per cent for starters, then this Strategic Defence Review is going to be hollow, it's going to be a failure and, frankly, it'll consign Keir Starmer to the bin of history.
Lord Dannatt saidWe'll do the Strategic Defence Review then set it out.
Asked if the announcement of the roadmap will now be sped up, the insider saidFrankly, we haven't got the numbers and we haven't got the equipment to put a large force onto the ground for an extended period of time at the present moment.
Lord Dannatt later went onI am heading to Paris today with a very clear message for our European friends
Sir Keir saidWe must be clear that peace cannot come at any cost
Sir Keir saidMy reaction is the Prime Minister is doing the right thing
Lord Dannatt saidOur Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5 per cent.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman saidThese crucial days ahead will determine the future security of our continent
Sir Keir said
While European nations must step up in this moment - and we will - US support will remain critical and a US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again.
The premier, who is due to visit Mr Trump in Washington later this month, saidWe don't dispute that over the course of the last decade Britain's defence has been run down by our Conservative predecessors.
He saidIt is critical that we get confirmation of a sustained spending increase as soon as possible, so that we can commence the critical task of rearmament that should have started months ago,
he saidThe next few weeks and days will determine whether it’s serious or not,
he said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday
If it’s real negotiations — and we’re not there yet — but if that were to happen, Ukraine will have to be involved, because they’re the one that were invaded, and the Europeans will have to be involved because they have sanctions on Putin and Russia as well, and they’ve contributed to this effort,
Rubio saidIt’s indeed like Easter, Hanukkah, Christmas, (the) birthday of Vladimir Putin and everything is happening in one day,
Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told CNN’s Bianna Golodryga on Sunday
We’re moving along. We’re trying to get a peace with Russia, Ukraine, and we’re working very hard on it.”
The president on Sunday raised the prospect of a meeting with Putin “very soon.” ... He told reporters in FloridaWhen President Trump says as part of a deal there will have to be European troops, we will have to be asked to supply them, so sooner or later we will have to be involved.”
But he addedBut any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent and the security of this country,
Starmer said
I don’t have any details for you this morning, other than to say that we stand ready to follow the president’s lead on this and begin to explore ways, if those opportunities present itself, to begin a process towards peace,
Rubio said