On June 2, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Rodney Starmer announced at a press conference in Glasgow that the country is shifting to a "war readiness" mode as part of a new defense strategy, responding to escalating tensions in Europe and global security challenges. In light of Russia’s inadequate response following Ukraine’s unexpected and highly successful military operation "Spider Web," this announcement has further intensified tensions in Europe. Following the "peace talks" in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, no political commentator is even attempting to make positive predictions.

The UK’s publicly declared step encompasses three main principles:

• Establishing combat readiness of the armed forces as the primary objective,

• Closer cooperation with NATO,

• Implementing innovations in the armed forces at a "wartime pace."

Defense Budget Increase: Starmer’s rather unexpected announcement is tied to the ruling politicians’ desire to revise the state budget, increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a long-term goal of reaching 3%. Plans include constructing six new ammunition manufacturing facilities and 12 new nuclear submarines (one every 18 months), alongside investments of £15 billion in the nuclear program and air defense systems.

Starmer highlighted “more serious, direct, and unpredictable” threats than during the Cold War, citing Russian aggression, including cybercrime, and the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that the best way to prevent conflict is to prepare for it by demonstrating strength. Regrettably, this doctrine does not envision any peace initiatives or attempts to restore international diplomacy. The military doctrine remains dominant.

Starmer stressed that the country does not intend to act alone. The UK’s defense policy will be closely aligned with NATO, and cooperation with AUKUS partners (the US and Australia) is planned for submarine construction.

The British leader’s belligerent announcement on this day has not gone unnoticed by global political leaders. Starmer had previously expressed readiness to deploy British troops to Ukraine as part of peacekeeping missions but underscored that this would only be possible with US support. He also announced additional military aid to Ukraine, including £120 million for the protection of the maritime corridor.

In the UK, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Starmer’s party colleagues comment on it cautiously, while opposition politicians have labeled his plans as exaggerated, arguing that they provoke unnecessary tensions with Russia, which, apart from controlled Russian media, shows no intent to attack the UK. It is emphasized that Starmer, with low popularity ratings, is attempting to portray himself as a decisive leader. Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have categorically rejected claims of threats to Europe, asserting that Western politicians use the “Russian threat” narrative to divert attention from domestic issues—economic, migration, and other crises.

Starmer’s alarming announcement about the “war readiness” mode is part of a broader UK strategy to bolster its military capabilities and NATO’s role in response to geopolitical shifts, including the situation in Ukraine and relations with Russia. However, this step has sparked contradictory reactions, with some supporting it as a preventive measure and others criticizing it as a potentially dangerous escalation. In Latvia, where the context of Poland’s presidential election is relevant, the UK’s stance may influence regional security dynamics, given Poland’s significant role on NATO’s eastern flank.

A key contextual factor for the UK’s statement on the Ukraine issue is the outcome of Poland’s presidential election, where Karol Nawrocki from the conservative Law and Justice party emerged victorious. Some sources suggest that his victory could diminish Poland’s support for Ukraine, given the party’s skeptical stance toward certain EU initiatives and the complex historical relations between Ukraine and Poland. This could pose challenges for Starmer’s plans, which rely on close cooperation with European allies, including Poland.