The Prime Minister said Russia “appreciates” Britain’s deterrent and understands it is “credible”.
Sir Keir spoke about ongoing tensions with the Kremlin ahead of talks with military chiefs today about deploying official peacekeepers to Ukraine.
He said: “What is obviously important is they appreciate that it is what it is, which is a credible capability. And that it most certainly is.
“It has been an incredibly effective deterrent for decades. We must not take that for granted. Which is why it’s good that we’re going to the Dreadnought [submarine] class.
“The last few years and certainly the last few months have been a reminder, across the country and across Europe, of how important that first duty of defence and security is.”
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1742433353/articles/qcWDtAWvyVXaWYWOJmsys/3774342424.jpg]
Mission
Asked whether he believes Putin respects Britain’s nuclear arsenal, the PM replied: “Yes, that’s why the UK within Europe is one of the leading nations on defence and security, because we’ve got our own independent deterrent and we're committed to NATO.”
Britain has around 225 nuclear missiles, which are carried by Vanguard submarines. The Vanguards will be replaced by Dreadnought subs from the 2030s.
Sir Keir will lay out plans for the next generation of Britain’s nuclear deterrent subs when he visits Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, today.
He will argue that his proposals to boost defence spending will help fulfil his mission to grow the UK economy.
Sir Keir also revealed military chiefs are preparing to draw up plans to send peacekeepers to Ukraine if an overall ceasefire can be brokered.
He said: “The fact that we have got to the military plans stage shows this is beyond the speeches given in the political arena.
“Things can move very quickly. There are a lot of moving parts, but we need to be in a position to answer the question of how we are going to defend the peace.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1742433353/articles/qcWDtAWvyVXaWYWOJmsys/7272511114.jpg]
“We have to respect Putin’s ambitions. He doesn’t respect a deal that doesn’t have any security guarantees.”
Sir Keir said he had reaffirmed the UK’s steadfast backing for Kyiv in a call with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.
Following their call, No10 was asked whether the PM was satisfied with the outcome of the discussions.
Sir Keir’s official spokesman said: “We obviously welcome president Trump’s efforts to secure a ceasefire in this space, but it is also disappointing that Putin has not agreed to a full-on, immediate ceasefire without conditions, as Ukraine has done.” US officials said last night that “we have never been closer to peace” following an hour-long call between Donald Trump and Mr Zelensky.
It was the first time the pair had spoken directly following their bust-up in the Oval Office last month.
Ukraine’s president asked for air defence help in the “frank” conversation with the Mr Trump.
In a post on X after the call, Mr Zelensky backed Mr Trump’s push for a limited ceasefire with Russia.
He said: “One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire.”
Attacks
A statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, following the "fantastic" call, said: "President Zelensky asked for additional air defence systems to protect his civil...
Sir Keir spoke about ongoing tensions with the Kremlin ahead of talks with military chiefs today about deploying official peacekeepers to Ukraine.
He said: “What is obviously important is they appreciate that it is what it is, which is a credible capability. And that it most certainly is.
“It has been an incredibly effective deterrent for decades. We must not take that for granted. Which is why it’s good that we’re going to the Dreadnought [submarine] class.
“The last few years and certainly the last few months have been a reminder, across the country and across Europe, of how important that first duty of defence and security is.”
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1742433353/articles/qcWDtAWvyVXaWYWOJmsys/3774342424.jpg]
Mission
Asked whether he believes Putin respects Britain’s nuclear arsenal, the PM replied: “Yes, that’s why the UK within Europe is one of the leading nations on defence and security, because we’ve got our own independent deterrent and we're committed to NATO.”
Britain has around 225 nuclear missiles, which are carried by Vanguard submarines. The Vanguards will be replaced by Dreadnought subs from the 2030s.
Sir Keir will lay out plans for the next generation of Britain’s nuclear deterrent subs when he visits Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, today.
He will argue that his proposals to boost defence spending will help fulfil his mission to grow the UK economy.
Sir Keir also revealed military chiefs are preparing to draw up plans to send peacekeepers to Ukraine if an overall ceasefire can be brokered.
He said: “The fact that we have got to the military plans stage shows this is beyond the speeches given in the political arena.
“Things can move very quickly. There are a lot of moving parts, but we need to be in a position to answer the question of how we are going to defend the peace.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1742433353/articles/qcWDtAWvyVXaWYWOJmsys/7272511114.jpg]
“We have to respect Putin’s ambitions. He doesn’t respect a deal that doesn’t have any security guarantees.”
Sir Keir said he had reaffirmed the UK’s steadfast backing for Kyiv in a call with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.
Following their call, No10 was asked whether the PM was satisfied with the outcome of the discussions.
Sir Keir’s official spokesman said: “We obviously welcome president Trump’s efforts to secure a ceasefire in this space, but it is also disappointing that Putin has not agreed to a full-on, immediate ceasefire without conditions, as Ukraine has done.” US officials said last night that “we have never been closer to peace” following an hour-long call between Donald Trump and Mr Zelensky.
It was the first time the pair had spoken directly following their bust-up in the Oval Office last month.
Ukraine’s president asked for air defence help in the “frank” conversation with the Mr Trump.
In a post on X after the call, Mr Zelensky backed Mr Trump’s push for a limited ceasefire with Russia.
He said: “One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire.”
Attacks
A statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, following the "fantastic" call, said: "President Zelensky asked for additional air defence systems to protect his civil...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 20, 2025