15 h. ago UK yet to commit to Nato plan for rise in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP

Nato chief Mark Rutte wants members to agree to plan at summit later this month but UK remains cautiousBritain has still not committed to agreeing an increase in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by the mid-2030s at the Nato summit later this month in line with a proposal from the alliance secretary general, Mark Rutte, defence sources said.Though Rutte visited Downing St on Monday and the Nato chief expressed confidence in a speech in London afterwards that countries would sign up, senior insiders complained that Britain was still dragging its heels over the issue. Continue reading...

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61 h. ago Nato chief Mark Rutte warns UK must spend more on defence or ‘learn to speak Russian’

Nato needs a 400% increase in air and missile defence, Mr Rutte says, warning Russia could be ready to use force against it within five years

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63 h. ago Mark Rutte warns NATO members must increase defence spending or ‘you better learn to speak Russian’

The NATO general secretary has called for a 400% increase in air and missile defence spending, claiming member states will need to “start learning Russian” otherwise.

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63 h. ago Britons ‘better learn to speak Russian’ without major defence spending hike, Nato chief warns

The Nato secretary general said there is no discrepancy between the UK's current defence spending goals and his own push for members to reach 5 per cent of GDP

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64 h. ago Brits should learn to speak Russian if defence spending isn't ramped up, NATO chief warns

NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, speaking at an event in central London, warned that Vladimir Putin will be able to mount a credible threat against the bloc within five years, with missiles able to reach European capitals in minutes

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8 d. ago Nato to force UK to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP to appease Trump, say sources

Starmer bound to accept Mark Rutte’s higher target after announcing ‘Nato-first’ defence strategy, insiders sayDefence sources believe that Britain will be forced to sign up to a target of lifting defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 at this month’s Nato summit after a campaign by the alliance’s secretary general to keep Donald Trump onboard.One senior insider said Britain would “without a doubt” sign up to a proposal from the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, to lift allies’ defence spending, which would represent a real-terms increase of about £30bn from the Labour government’s plan. Continue reading...

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