Russia-Ukraine war: Rishi Sunak asked to raise UK defence spending

Estonia has charged Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to commit to raising defence spending amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

His predecessor Liz Truss pledged to boost spending from 2 per cent to 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said the United Kingdom must not go back on its word.

During a BBC interview, Reinsalu was asked if NATO countries should aim to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence.

The official answered affirmatively, noting that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “game-changer”.

“Autocrats are investing in weapons. They believe in (the) power of arms.

“To defend our values – the rules-based order – we need also to invest in the weapons”, he said.

Reinsalu also asked the UK not to cut troop numbers in Estonia.

Reports say nearly 700 British troops deployed to the country were being withdrawn without planned replacements.

However, Sunak has assured President Volodymyr Zelensky of UK’s “steadfast support” for Ukraine. The leaders communicated Tuesday evening.