UK says Europe’s defence investment responds to Russia’s war in Ukraine

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Europe’s defence response to Russia

Highlights

UK Counsellor Ankur Narayan told the OSCE that increased European defence budgets and NATO readiness directly respond to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The UK distinguishes European defensive actions from Russian aggression, accusing Russia of continued violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and rejection of ceasefire offers.
The UK urges Russia to withdraw forces from Ukrainian territory and re-engage diplomatically, stating this would address concerns over Europe's rising defence investment.

UK position at OSCE forum

According to UK Government, as stated in a UK government statement to the OSCE, UK Counsellor for Politico-Military Affairs Ankur Narayan says Russia is trying to reverse cause and effect by portraying Europe’s higher defence spending and NATO preparedness as aggression.

He says NATO allies are rebuilding military capability because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and seizure of territory have created the most serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades. In that context, he describes stronger armed forces, higher readiness and increased defence budgets as legitimate defensive measures to protect territory, populations and democratic institutions.

Narayan also says NATO remains a defensive alliance whose purpose is to protect the freedom and security of its members through collective defence, crisis prevention and cooperative security. He adds that the alliance seeks no war with Russia and that Moscow’s claims of encirclement stem from its own actions against sovereign neighbours.

Security and diplomatic implications for Europe

The UK says there is a clear distinction between self-defence and coercive behaviour, arguing that Russia continues to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through military force. Narayan says Russia is still carrying out mass strikes on Ukrainian cities, taking heavy casualties for limited gains, while rejecting what he describes as Ukraine’s repeated offers of a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

He links the argument to the OSCE Code of Conduct, saying it supports responsible state behaviour, peaceful relations and the maintenance of armed forces for national defence. The statement adds that the code, together with the UN Charter, international law and the Helsinki Final Act, does not permit states to coerce neighbours or redraw borders by force.

The UK says Russia has a direct way to ease European security concerns over rising defence investment, withdraw its forces from internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, stop its attacks and return to diplomacy.

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