Nothing's been finalised yet,
We believe that, as a result of the acceleration on the Ukrainian issue, and also as a result of what American leaders are saying, there is a need for Europeans to do more, better and in a coherent manner for our collective security,
These initiatives are an opportunity in the sense that they can help speed up the end of the war in Ukraine, but obviously we still need to agree and see under what conditions the end of the war can be achieved,
Everybody should be able to take part in the conversation,
But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine's security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country,
I do not say that lightly,
He is siding with the pariah state, with a war criminal, and he has been a Putin fan all along
If America is not to stand behind its allies in the way the world has previously seen, then we are moving into a wholly different and in my view, rather more dangerous world.
I think in Europe we need to talk less and do more,
A wind of unity is blowing over Europe, as we perhaps have not felt since the COVID period.”
The first phase is the pre-negotiation, and this is a moment when we need to rearm Ukraine and put maximum pressure on Russia, which means sanctions, which means frozen assets, so that Ukraine begins these negotiations from a position of strength,
The risk that Russia will occupy Europe is 100%,
Don’t underestimate Trump as a negotiator. I genuinely believe that Putin is baffled and afraid what might be coming from there,
I can announce that I will propose to activate the ‘escape clause’ for defense investments,
There is definitely, from the US administration, a view towards Europe and there's a slightly different view towards ourselves in the UK
The Chancellor knows more than most people the pressures on public services across the board, but defence has to be the cornerstone of our national prosperity as well as our security
A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin
General Kellogg [the US envoy to Russia and Ukraine – ed.] has presented to me personally and to the circle of European allies, the United States’ negotiating tactics... I will not reveal them here. They raise some hopes. They are unorthodox, but we wish them luck."
The whole cabinet, the whole government [and] I think most people in this country recognise the pressures the world is under, recognize more will have to be spent on defence.”
Of course, there comes a time when discussions have to begin. The president of the United States has begun those conversations with Putin. But the end state of this conversation is nowhere near, and everything is on the table,