The revelation raises the prospect of further damaging cuts in so-called unprotected departments that were also hit in the 2010s by the austerity policies pursued by successive Conservative-led governments. Reductions in day-to-day spending, which excludes capital investment, would leave departments that have already been squeezed hardest facing further pain. Those at risk include Local Government, Culture, Justice, the Home Office, Environment, Energy, and Work and Pensions.
The UK intervened to stop peace negotiations early on and was complicit in undermining the implementation of Minsk II.
Like other OECD countries, the UK was and is happy to use Ukraine as a weapon against Russia, no matter how many Ukrainians die. Their strategy is to escalate, not defend.
Ukraine’s strategy is to expel the invader and ask for any and all assistance in the defense of their country from Russia’s war of conquest. All of the help from Poland, the UK, the US, Baltics, Germany, and other European countries is massively appreciated. More is requested and it’s good to see the UK is stepping up in a much bigger way to assist in their defense.
Ukraine is not a sovereign country. Its affairs are dictated by the Western countries that pushed Euromaidan, selected its subsequent president, ensured the failure of Minsk II, and now support endless war to the last Ukrainian. So far as I can tell, there is not much strategy to Ukraine outside of “keep fighting”, and their overall strategy has been absolutely desolating for the population, throwing people into meat grinder after meat grinder, which Russia finds an acceptable status quo.
Is it appreciated by those being forcefully conscripted? What about the majorities who want a negotiated peace? Perhaps they do, but don’t let this get in the way of understanding that endless escalation and war is not popular, and this is nevertheless what is happening.
If you had read the article, you would know that it’s about (1) austerity cuts justified by (2) general fund increased “defense” spending, not specifically for Ukraine-based arms. The only mention of Ukraine is Starmer’s unhinged comments about potentially sending troops to Ukraine, i.e. NATO member troops to Ukraine, which is, again, only an escalation.
As I already mentioned, the goal of endless arms to Ukraine is one of escalation and using Ukrainians as fodder against Russia, not actually helping the country. The country is already ruined, it has been sold off to these OECD countries for a song (or for “defense”, as the propaganda term would put it). Some “aid”, getting UA’s land and industries in return! Some “aid”, i.e. loans with interest!