Sir Keir Starmer to warn of threat Putin poses to the West on visit to Estonia | Politics News

Sir Keir Starmer will thank British troops deployed near the Russian border on a visit to Estonia where he will warn of the threat Vladimir Putin poses to Europe and the UK.

The Labour leader will argue the “defence of the UK starts in Ukraine” and that the long-spanning conflict shows what happens “when politics goes soft on Putin”.

Sir Keir, who is travelling with his shadow defence secretary John Healey, will stress that the UK will stand with Kyiv for “as long as it takes to win” and that Labour will continue to support the government in supplying military aid and NATO allies on the Russian border.

The Labour leader will warn that the “sinister influence of Russian money” in Britain and attacks by Russian agents in Salisbury show that the Russian president’s “malign influence will extend beyond Ukraine and on to British soil if we fail to stand up to it”.

He will also promise to protect the British electorate from hybrid attacks and possible interference in elections.

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In his speech, Sir Keir will say: “We have all seen what happens when politics goes soft on Putin. The defence of Britain starts in Ukraine – that’s why the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine and we will stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes to win.

“The Salisbury attacks and sinister influence of Russian money in Britain are a reminder that Putin’s malign influence will extend beyond Ukraine if we fail to stand up to it. We must be secure at home and strong abroad.

“I am proud of our Armed Forces for standing tall in the face of Russian aggression. Amidst dark clouds of conflict and instability, our forces are a beacon of hope and freedom this Christmas.

“In government, Labour will reinforce our NATO allies on the border with Russia, ensure Britain plays a leading role in the response to areas of Russian aggression like the high north by fulfilling our NATO commitments in full.”

On their trip Sir Keir and Mr Healey will observe military exercises at a NATO base in Estonia, which shares a 182-mile border with Russia, before joining troops in the canteen over lunch.

Sir Keir’s visit comes just days after Mr Putin held a four-hour phone in with the Russian public in which he said his war goals remain unchanged and there won’t be peace in Ukraine until they are achieved.

The Russian president said his aims were still the “de-Nazification” – a claim that has been derided by the West, “de-militarisation and a neutral status” of Ukraine.

Sir Keir will reaffirm his commitment to Ukraine just a week after President Zelenskyy visited the United States in a bid to shore up support for fresh funding.

The UK gave £4.6 billion of military aid across 2022 and 2023.

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US President Joe Biden warned during the visit that his country is “rapidly coming to an end” of its ability to help Ukraine unless Congress approves more military funding for the country.

He said the US would continue to back Kyiv “as long as we can” as he announced an additional $200m (£160m) package of support on Tuesday.

But he warned: “Without supplemental funding, we’re rapidly coming to an end of our ability to help Ukraine respond to the urgent operational demands that it has.

“Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must prove him wrong.”