Russia sends horror WW3 threat to UK – ‘We are ready to fight now’ | World | News

There is a reported £28 billion black hole in the British defence budget, and the Prime Minister told NATO allies there was a need to “spend more, faster”. But the Kremlin today accused Sir Keir of playing politics with military spending, portraying his move as a counter to his chronic political problems at home. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Vladimir Putin was ready for war. “We view the British Prime Minister’s announcement of increased defence spending primarily as a response to the difficult domestic political situation in his country,” she said. “This is against the backdrop of negative socioeconomic developments, including an influx of illegal migrants, dilapidated infrastructure, increased tax burdens on the population and businesses, and scandals affecting Starmer’s inner circle.”

Starmer was “frantically seeking any opportunity to boost his appeal to voters”, but “the risk of this move for the international situation is quite obvious”. Moscow believes Western warmongers are seeking to boost military production, which is “escalating tension”, she said.

Zakharova warned: “This destructive activity by the British authorities is being fully taken into account by both the Russian Foreign Ministry and the [secret services] in our country…. “No one ever publicises these details.”

Putin had made clear that “if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we are ready right now….if their aggressive itch doesn’t go away, we proceed,” she said. “We would also recommend that the British government prioritise, first and foremost, the genuine interests of its own population, not the lobbyists of the military-industrial complex, which advocates for an unrestrained increase in defence spending.”

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Reports say that despite Sir Keir’s defence boost comments in Munich, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out increased MoD spending this year, despite pressure from military chiefs.

Starmer has set a target of spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by April 2027, with an “ambition” to increase this again to 3% after the next election. Donald Trump has demanded 5% of GDP from NATO allies, including Britain.