“You have challenged Europe to intensify. You have challenged us to intensify Ukraine, for defense expenses, for European security,” he said. “And I tell you that we have it, we are and we will.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced last month that the United Kingdom would increase defense expenses to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
After welcoming European leaders and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London, Starmer said that the United Kingdom was ready to send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force to underpin a peace agreement with Russia.
Great Britain, France and Ukraine are working on the terms of such an agreement to present to the American president Donald Trump.
Hegseth called the initiative of Great Britain and France “very encouraging to watch”.
“What the president has also said many times is, should not be ahead of ourselves,” he added.
“In order to maintain lasting peace, there is an aspect of security,” said Hegseth. “The United Kingdom and France have promised themselves, as well as others, to be the essential part of this, there will be other aspects which are part of the other terms of negotiation.”
Meanwhile, the leaders of the 27 EU countries organized an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to eliminate a new defense plan, unanimously approving a proposal to stimulate defense expenses up to 800 billion euros in the block.
Politices
