‘We cannot afford to be divided!’ Labour MP urges major defence spending boost to confront Russian aggression
Labour’s Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy has issued a stark warning about maintaining Nato unity amid growing tensions between British and American approaches to the Ukraine conflict.
Speaking to GB News, Nandy claimed that “we cannot afford to be divided in the face of Russian aggression” as she discussed Donald Trump’s latest comments.
President Trump has sparked controversy with his approach to Ukraine peace negotiations, excluding President Volodymyr Zelensky from talks with Russia.
The proposed deal could see Vladimir Putin maintain control of approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, while withdrawing American troops post-agreement.
In a dramatic escalation on Wednesday, Trump launched a scathing attack on the Ukrainian leadership, describing Zelensky as a “dictator without elections.”
The former US president claimed Zelensky had manipulated the American government “like a fiddle.”
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Speaking to GB News, Nandy said: “Well, the Prime Minister has been clear that all of our European allies and the UK have to increase defence spending.
“We’ve had huge cuts to the armed forces in particular over the last decade and a half, and we are determined to get to the point of being able to spend more money on defence.
“We’ve got a strategic defence review at the moment. We’re looking at how that money should be best spent ahead of the spending review.
“We need to stick together with our Nato allies. The one thing we cannot afford to allow to happen is for us to be divided in the face of Russian aggression.
“That’s why the Prime Minister was with European leaders over the weekend. It’s why he spoke to President Zelensky to reaffirm our support for Ukraine last night.
“It’s why he’s flying to Washington next week to meet President Trump.”
Prime Minister Starmer has committed to a robust defence of Ukraine, including the possibility of deploying British troops.
Writing in The Telegraph, Starmer declared: “The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine.”
Britain has already pledged £3 billion annually in military support until at least 2030.
“But it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary,” Starmer stated.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the gravity of such commitments: “I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.”