Britain and EU bolster defence support for Ukraine

Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham outlined a defence agenda that includes modernising the British army, increasing spending on arms, and maintaining “unwavering” support for Ukraine. He said new contracts should primarily benefit British companies and pledged to keep close ties with EU partners on security, immigration, terrorism and counter‑disinformation, while appointing former Blair adviser Jonathan Powell as security adviser.

Nine European Union states – Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Denmark – sent a joint letter to EU diplomats urging the Commission to approve the use of a €90 billion EU loan for purchasing US‑made weapons for Ukraine, such as Patriot PAC‑3 missiles, AIM‑120 AMRAAM, ATACMS and other systems. The ministers argue that the EU’s “Made in Europe” rule, which requires at least 65 % of procurement to come from the EU or Ukraine, should be waived to meet urgent Ukrainian needs and avoid delays in deliveries.