Europe must spend more on defence to tackle 'generational challenge', says UK PM

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday his country's national security was facing a generational challenge and that it was crucial for all of Europe to spend more on defence.

"We're facing a generational challenge when it comes to national security," Starmer told reporters before heading to Paris for an emergency leaders' meeting to discuss Europe's role in any ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

"I think there's a bigger piece here as well, which is that this isn't just about the front line in Ukraine. It's the front line of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It's about our national security and I think that we need to do more."

Starmer said Europe needed to spend more because the ongoing conflict with Russia affected the whole of the continent, not just Ukraine.

"We need to step up in terms of our collective response in Europe. And by that, I mean capability, by that I mean playing our full part when it comes to the defence of the sovereignty of Ukraine if there's a peace agreement.

"I want the UK and all European allies to step up, and for the UK to play a leading part in that."

(Reporting by William James and Sam Tabahriti; Writing by Catarina Demony; Editing by Kate Holton and Sachin Ravikumar)