Britain leading by example on defence, says Nato chief

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House have put a renewed focus on European defence spending.

Washington has long pushed for Europe to spend more on its own defences.

But Mr Trump claimed in February that he would let Russia do “whatever the hell they want” to alliance members who failed to hit spending targets.

Last year, the US spent two thirds of Nato’s £1 trillion outlay, compared with the £310 billion spent by EU members, the UK and Norway.

Last year, just 11 of Nato’s 32 member states spent the 2 per cent target agreed at summit in Newport in 2014.

More than 20 are expected to meet that goal ahead of a crucial summit in Washington in July, on the eve of the decision to anoint the Republican presidential candidate, where that figure will become a floor and not a ceiling ambition.

There has also been pressure on Europe to offer more support for Ukraine, after Joe Biden struggled to secure backing for a £50 billion military aid package from Republicans who believed the US was doing too much.

Mr Sunak announced a £500 million increase for Kyiv, taking Britain’s contribution to £3 billion, as part of the defence spending pledge.