'The nuclear threat is growing': Keir Starmer warns of 'grim reality' of threat from Putin's Russia after Britons are told to 'actively prepare' for WAR

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

Keir Starmer told Britons they face a 'grim reality' of a growing threat of nuclear annihilation at the hands of Vladimir Putin 's Russia today.
The Prime Minister faced MPs today after attending the Nato summit this week and the G7 leaders' meeting last week, where the war in Ukraine was one of the main topics of discussion.
Speaking in the Commons for the first time in more than two weeks he urged the US and other UK 'partners' to 'step up the pressure now, with more sanctions and more military support to bring Russia to the table to agree an unconditional ceasefire'.
It came after the UK's new national security strategy warned that the nation must 'actively prepare' for a direct attack on British soil in a potential 'wartime scenario' for the first time in many years.
It highlighted Russian cyber attacks and sabotage against the UK, Iranian hostile activity on British soil, and other adversaries 'laying the foundations for future conflict'.
Speaking to MPs Sir Keir highlighted the decision to buy 12 F-35A fighter-bombers capable of carrying nuclear missiles - the first time the RAF will have had atomic weapons in more than 30 years.
The PM said Britain's nuclear deterrent 'has kept this country safe for decades', but went on: 'But we recognise the grim reality today that the nuclear threat is growing, so we are reviewing our existing at sea capability, and we are going still further.'
He added: 'We committed to providing hundreds more air defence missiles, paid for not by the British taxpayer but with money from Russia 's frozen assets. And together with Europe, Canada and our Indo-Pacific partners, we announced that we will deliver 40 billion Euros of military aid to Ukraine this year, matching last year's pledge in full.
'There is a path to a just and lasting peace, but it will only come through flipping the pressure onto (Russian president Vladimir) Putin – his position is weaker than he claims.
'So I urge all our partners, including the US, to step up the pressure now, with more sanctions and more military support to bring Russia to the table to agree an unconditional ceasefire, leading to serious negotiations.'
The UK is buying a fleet of nuke-laden jets, building new attack submarines, establishing a network of bio labs, and reviving the 'Blitz spirit' amid growing threats.
As Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended a NATO summit in The Hague this week, it was confirmed Britain is set to buy 12 F35-A fighter jets.
The £80million jets, a variant of the F35-Bs the UK already uses, can carry conventional weapons but can also be equipped with nuclear bombs.
They are expected to carry American B-61 nuclear gravity bombs, capable of killing thousands.
It follows the recent announcement that the UK will build up to 12 new attack submarines.
The new conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines will replace the seven-strong Astute class from the late 2030s onwards.
The bolstering of Britain's military kit comes as a chilling new report outlined the growing threats faced by the UK.
The national security strategy, published yesterday, warned of a direct attack on British soil.
'For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario,' it said.