Keir Starmer warns of ‘real and constant’ Russian threat to the UK as Labour leader seeks to burnish his pre-election defence credentials with Christmas visit to British troops in Estonia

Sir Keir Starmer warned of the ‘real and constant’ threat from Russia today as he visited UK troops in Estonia. 

The Labour leader warned that Britain and its allies ‘need to be prepared’ and ready to ‘deter’ Vladimir Putin’s forces as he made a pre-Christmas trip to soldiers deployed near the Russian border.

He and shadow defence secretary John Healey made the trip to stress their commitment to Nato and burnish the party’s defence credentials ahead of next year’s general election.

The party is keen to get as far politically from the previous regime of Jeremy Corbyn, who was seen as being too soft on Russia and defence generally.

Speaking on his visit to the Baltic, Sir Keir said: ‘I think we have to be mindful of that threat from Russia to Europe, to ourselves in the UK and the interference that goes on…

‘This is a real and constant threat from Russia, measured in years, and measured back home in the UK as well.’ 

The Labour leader warned that Britain and its allies ‘need to be prepared’ and ready to ‘deter’ Vladimir Putin’s forces as he made a pre-Christmas trip to soldiers deployed near the Russian border.

He and shadow defence secretary John Healey made the trip to stress their commitment to Nato and burnish the party’s defence credentials ahead of next year’s general election.

The pair will observe military exercises at the base in Estonia, which shares a 182-mile border with Russia, before joining troops in the canteen over lunch.

The pair will observe military exercises at the base in Estonia, which shares a 182-mile border with Russia, before joining troops in the canteen over lunch.

Ahead of the visit, Mr Healey said: ‘Serving in our Armed Forces is the ultimate public service. Our troops embody the values of courage, integrity, loyalty and professionalism that the British people most admire. They make Britain – and Labour – proud, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.

‘On backing Nato allies on the Russian border and military support to Ukraine since the illegal invasion began, the Government has had – and will continue to have – our fullest Labour support.

‘We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to win. We stand ready to back further assistance to Ukraine and our Nato allies like Estonia.’

Amid signs of war fatigue among Ukraine’s Western allies, Labour has heaped pressure on Rishi Sunak’s Government to reveal the UK’s plans for future military aid for Ukraine.

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

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