Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of the current security situation, describing it as a unique opportunity for action as doubts have been raised about the future of Nato.
The PM vowed to act as a bridge between the US and Europe to try to broker a deal to secure Ukraine’s future and face down Russia.
France will convene an urgent meeting, possibly as soon as Monday, bringing together Sir Keir, other European leaders, and the Nato Secretary General to discuss crucial defense issues.
The call for a new European army by Volodymyr Zelensky to counter Russia’s aggression has added urgency to the discussions, highlighting the diminishing reliance on the US for security protection.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain might need to up its defence spending to Cold War levels in this new era of aggression.
Sir Keir said: “This is a once-in-a-generation moment for our national security where we engage with the reality of the world today and the threat we face from Russia.
“It’s clear Europe must take on a greater role in Nato as we work with the United States to secure Ukraine’s future and face down the threat we face from Russia.
“The UK will work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together. We cannot allow any divisions in the alliance to distract from the external enemies we face.”
Donald Trump stunned the world when he phoned Vladimir Putin to broker peace talks in Ukraine. It plunged Europe and Ukraine — who were not warned of the call — into crisis and raised questions over the future of Nato.
Sir Keir is planning to visit President Trump next week for crucial talks in Washington. He believes Britain can bring the US and Europe together to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty is secured.
The PM will relay messages from the France summit to Mr Trump.
He will then return for another summit with Europe and Mr Zelensky where he will relay President Trump’s response.
In a blistering speech, Mr Zelensky said the “old days” of Europe relying on American military might to protect them “are over”.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments, in front of a stunned audience of world leaders in Munich, piled more pressure on Britain and Europe to ramp up military spending.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Zelensky said Europe had entered a new chapter in history and must take responsibility for its military defence.
He said: “As we fight this war and lay the groundwork for peace and security, we must build the Armed Forces of Europe so that Europe’s future depends only on Europeans, and decisions about Europe are made in Europe.”
The new US administration has told Europe it must start paying for its own defence after decades of under-investment.
The UK only spends 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence and will “set out a path” to hit 2.5 per cent within the next few months.
Government sources said the plan was to hit 2.5 per cent by 2032.
But senior figures are urging the PM to spend more.
We need to deter Putin in a way we failed to deter Hitler.
Lord Richard Dannatt
Hinting at the row, Mr Lammy told the conference: “All of us as foreign ministers have had detailed conversations with our Treasury departments.
“One of the messages we are deadly serious about is if Ukraine were to fail the costs would be considerably more.”
He pointed out countries were spending around seven per cent of GDP on defence in the Cold War. Former head of the British Army Gen Lord Richard Dannatt said defence spending should be ramped up to three per cent or higher.
He warned that PM Sir Keir will be consigned to the “bin of history” unless he finds more money for our military.
He added: “We need to deter Putin in a way we failed to deter Hitler.”
Tory former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “For too long, we’ve relied on America to shield us while some nations contribute next to nothing.”
But the answer was not in a Euro Army but in Europe spending more to protect its borders through Nato. “If we don’t wake up now, we’ll sleepwalk into disaster,” he added.
