Keir Starmer, two days after announcing his resignation as Prime Minister, attended a meeting of the 'E5' group of countries in Berlin, marking one of his final foreign trips in office.
During the summit, hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Starmer was seen embracing leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The E5 group comprises Europe's largest military powers.
The leaders discussed the continent's security and the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, which is expected to be Starmer's last international engagement.
Starmer expressed his intent to publish his long-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) before the NATO summit, aiming to establish a legacy during his remaining time in Downing Street. The ten-year DIP, originally scheduled for publication last autumn, has faced repeated delays due to funding disputes within Whitehall. The plan is intended to outline how new defense equipment and infrastructure will be funded over the next decade, following a strategic defense review published in June of the previous year.
However, Andy Burnham, widely expected to succeed Starmer, is reportedly pressuring the outgoing Prime Minister not to finalize the DIP before his departure, as Burnham wishes to make decisions regarding the multi-billion-pound package himself.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Starmer stated that the DIP would incorporate 'the lessons of Ukraine' and 'completely overhaul' defense spending. He announced, "The UK is ready to implement the largest sustained increase in defence funding since the Cold War."
Starmer also conveyed his pride in the work accomplished over the past two years. The E5 leaders reaffirmed their 'unwavering support to Ukraine' amidst Russia's invasion. The group also expressed a 'determination to capitalise on Ukraine's new-found momentum,' noting Ukraine's increasing ability to push back Russian forces.
He emphasized the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia through further sanctions and enhanced military support for Ukraine, advocating for this to be a primary agenda item at the upcoming NATO summit.