Andy Burnham has been criticised for appearing unperturbed by warnings that Vladimir Putin is preparing further attacks on Europe, as leaders in Poland and France raised the alarm over Russian aggression.
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said the Kremlin was preparing to target Nato states, while French president Emmanuel Macron warned that attacks were intensifying and ordered increased protection for critical infrastructure.
The warnings came amid reports that the United States is considering withdrawing at least 25,000 troops from Europe, more than a quarter of its estimated 80,000-strong force. Donald Trump’s administration has been pressing European countries to take greater responsibility for their own defence.
Russia has launched what have been described as hybrid attacks across Europe in recent months, including the use of drones packed with explosives. Poland and Lithuania were targeted this week, while Germany and the Baltic states have also been the focus of Russian operations.
European governments have responded by increasing defence spending and support for Ukraine. UK defence officials, however, said there had been no change in Putin’s strategy and that he was not seeking a wider conflict, adding that British intelligence assessments matched those of other allies.
The comments came as Mr Burnham spent Friday hosting Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Number 10 North in Manchester and sharing videos of the visit on social media.
Senior defence figures accused the Government of failing to respond with sufficient urgency. The UK is not currently expected to reach Nato’s defence spending target of 3.5 per cent until 2035.
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said: “This is the real world where our national security and economic security must come before social security.
“I fear our new PM thinks TikTok videos and doling out benefits is all it takes to be in charge. This is not some episode of Coronation Street with ‘Andy and his chums’.”
Philip Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer, said the Government’s approach to defence and national security increased the risk of Russia attacking Nato and Britain being drawn into a European war.
He said: “I have not seen more dangerous conditions in the past 40 years. Given the state of our Armed Forces, promising something by 2035 will result in us not needing social security because current claimants will find themselves on the front line fighting.
“This is not scaremongering. But it seems that blasé Burnham will realise too late to do anything about it.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the urgency shown by Mr Macron and Mr Tusk made reports of Russia violating Lithuanian airspace “even more concerning”. She added that it was “not clear the Government is taking the Russian threat seriously enough”.
Mr Tusk said Putin was preparing missile strikes against Europe, while Mr Macron accused Russia of trying to intimidate Ukraine’s allies. The French president urged governments to protect sites involved in weapons production.
There are also claims that Putin may wait until after Russian elections this weekend before beginning a “stealth mobilisation”, potentially drafting up to 300,000 troops for deployment in Ukraine or along Russia’s borders with Nato.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies.
“The Government has overseen the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, including investing £750million into counter-drone equipment and protection for our Armed Forces, both at home and deployed overseas.”
