No.10 Shrugs Off Putin’s Europe Threat: ‘More Kremlin Claptrap’

Keir Starmer’s spokesperson has hit back at Vladimir Putin’s latest threats towards Europe as “yet more Kremlin claptrap”.

The Russian president caused alarm on Tuesday when he told reporters: “We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts, we are ready now. They are on the side of war.”

It was a particularly bizarre warning considering he was hosting a US delegation to unpack new European counterproposals to Donald Trump’s latest peace plan – which the Kremlin refused to accept.

Starmer was then asked by Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin if the UK was ready for war against Russia during prime minister’s questions.

The PM replied: “I updated the House on this last week on the attempts to get a lasting peace.

“We all know that Putin is the aggressor here, we all know that Putin is dragging his feet, not wanting to come to the table, not wanting to reach an agreement.”

He said this government would continue to support Ukraine via economic sanctions and with international pressure.

Asked why Starmer dodged the question about the UK’s readiness for war, the prime minister’s spokesperson told journalists on Wednesday: “I think our commitment to investing in defence is clear for all to see.

“But I think what the prime minister was quite rightly pointing out was this is yet more rhetoric from President Putin about Europe wanting to go to war.

“It’s as dangerous as it is wrong.

“European nations are united in support of Ukraine’s right to self-defence under international law and Nato is ready to respond to any threats with unity and strength.”

He continued: “Our armed forces always stand ready to defend this country.

“National security is clearly number one priority of any government.”

Pressed again over Putin’s provocative remarks, the spokesperson said: “This is yet more Kremlin claptrap from a president who is insincere about peace.

“He espouses rhetoric about Europe wanting to go to war that is as dangerous as it is wrong.”

Starmer’s representative said he had no further update on the failed talks between Russia and the US, but that the UK would continue to work with international partners to secure peace in Ukraine.