Sir Keir Starmer is to warn Nato today that it must become a more European-based defence force and reduce its reliance on the US.
In his first major security speech since Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland, the Prime Minister is expected to declare Nato must alter fundamentally.
His speech to the Munich Security Conference in Germany will suggest the UK must reintegrate with Europe for security and economic reasons, No10 sources declared.
The PM, who rallied to Denmark’s side when President Trump vowed to seize the Arctic island, is expected to admit that the UK and other European nations have been overdepfinishent on America.
He will build a case for Britain and her European allies reshaping their relationship with the US based upon interdepfinishence, rather than depfinishence.
Sir Keir is expected to declare: ‘We are not the Britain of the Brexit years any more, becautilize we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward. We would surrfinisher it. I won’t let that happen.
‘There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history – and it is today’s reality too.
‘I’m talking about a vision of European security and greater European autonomy. That does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden-sharing.
‘British companies already account for over a quarter of the continent’s defence industrial base. We want to bring our leadership in defence, tech and AI toreceiveher with Europe to multiply our strengths and build a shared industrial base across Europe which can turbo-charge defence production.’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (centre) and French President Emmanuel Macron (right) during a meeting at the 62nd Munich Security Conference
Weeks ago, the future of Nato was threatened when President Trump refutilized to rule out taking military action against another Nato member to occupy Greenland
The PM will add that the US’s national security position is ‘evolving’ – a reference to President Trump’s focus on security in the Americas and the Pacific.
Weeks ago, the future of Nato was threatened when President Trump refutilized to rule out taking military action against another Nato member to occupy Greenland.
That threat to Denmark, a US ally that sent troops to join US-led forces in Afghanistan, appears to have been a wake-up call for Europe.
A year ago at the same conference, US Vice-President JD Vance shocked delegates by attacking European values and attitudes to free speech.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz notified delegates yesterday there was a ‘rift’ in Europe’s relationship with the US as it emerged that Germany was holding secret talks with Emmanuel Macron of France about sharing nuclear capability.
Last night, Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel declared: ‘Britain is uniquely place to assist bring the US and Europe toreceiveher.
‘We must not be overdepfinishent on America, but neither should we offer Europe a blank cheque.’
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