As Keir Starmer and Western leaders gather for military summit...The atrocity that shows why Britain and Nato MUST spend more on defence
Sir Keir Starmer was under pressure on defence last night after Russia's sickening attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv.
Vladimir Putin faced global condemnation following the deadly missile strike on the Okhmatdyt hospital, which specialises in treating child cancer victims.
The murderous attack sends a chilling message to Nato leaders gathering in Washington today for a summit to mark the military alliance's 75th anniversary. It will also amplify Ukraine's demands for more air defence weapons to defend its skies.
Sir Keir, who flies to the US capital this evening, was told to 'put his money where his mouth is' on defence. He was urged to respond to Moscow's attack by committing to a timetable for raising Britain's military spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
Rishi Sunak had pledged to hit the target by 2030 and had planned to use the summit to press other leaders to follow suit to demonstrate to the Kremlin that the West will never abandon Ukraine.
People clear rubble after the Russian missile strike on Okhmatdyt hospital, one of the largest children's hospitals of Ukraine
Vladimir Putin faced global condemnation following the deadly missile strike on the Okhmatdyt hospital, which specialises in treating child cancer victims
Downing Street said Sir Keir was committed to reaching the target 'as soon as possible within the fiscal rules'. But former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois said the new PM had a duty to go further.
He told the Mail: 'This terrible attack in Ukraine is a brutal reminder of the threat we face. The best way for the Prime Minister to respond is to go to that summit and commit to a timetable for reaching that 2.5 per cent target.
'It is the perfect platform for a new PM to send a message to the world that he is committed to defence – he needs to put his money where his mouth is.'
Former defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson said: 'If the new PM's commitment to defence is going to be more than just warm words – if he is going to show he is serious about it – then he is going to have to make that shift to 2.5 per cent and provide a concrete timetable for getting there.
'The UK made that commitment under Rishi Sunak and Nato will be expecting us to maintain it.'
Former British Army commander Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said: 'This is Sir Keir's first international engagement and it is imperative he shows us and the world that he is the real deal.
'There is significant political instability in Europe and the United States which will continue throughout 2024.
'Britain's new government, which has entered office with some question marks surrounding its security policies, must show strong leadership for the sake of Ukraine and the West. This is a big test.'
An injured hospital worker watches as rescue efforts began at Okhmatdyt hospital after it was hit by a Russian missile attack on Monday
A Russian missile seen plummeting down on to Okhmatdyt hospital in Ukraine
Sir Keir described the attack as 'the most depraved of actions,' adding: 'We stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression – our support won't falter.'
New Defence Secretary John Healey, who was scrambled to a bomb shelter while visiting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the weekend, said the Government would 'step up UK support for Ukraine with a new military aid package and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes'. Sir Keir is expected to hold talks with Mr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden at this week's summit, which will focus heavily on bolstering support for Ukraine.
The PM's spokesman said: 'Attacking innocent children is deplorable. One of the key themes of the Nato summit will be to send a very clear signal to Russia that Nato stands with Ukraine against Russian aggression and Nato support will not falter.'
Mr Zelensky vowed Russia would be 'held fully accountable for its crimes' after at least two people were killed in the strike on the children's hospital. Okhmatdyt is renowned for its childcare facilities, and carries out 10,000 surgical procedures each year. Around 600 children are treated at the institution at any one time.
Sir Keir Starmer was under pressure on defence last night after Russia 's sickening attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv
An injured man talks on the phone after Russia's missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday
The air strike on the hospital was part of a Russian barrage, with more than 40 long-range missiles killing at least 36 and injuring 140 at targets across Ukraine.
A large part of the hospital's toxicology ward was flattened by what Ukrainian officials believe was a Kh-101 cruise missile, which typically carries a 1,000lb warhead.
Medical workers in blood-stained scrubs were seen searching desperately for patients and staff trapped in the rubble.
A woman was seen carrying a bleeding infant in a sheet, while children hooked to IV drips were treated next to the bomb site.
A surgeon who was performing open-heart surgery is said to have shielded his patient's body from flying debris. He then fitted her with a bypass device.
Moments after the missile hit, Svitlana Kravchenko – whose two-month-old son is being treated at the hospital – rushed to cover him with a cloth to protect him from the debris and dust. Her voice quivering, the 33-year-old spoke as she emerged from a bomb shelter.
'It was scary. I couldn't breathe,' Ms Kravchenko said. 'I was trying to cover him. I was trying to cover him with this cloth so that he could breathe.'
Alla, a nurse at the hospital, told reporters: 'Something hit nearby and then it hit us. After that it was chaos and I don't remember anything.'
In a rare move, the UN Security Council is expected to meet today to discuss the incident. Writing on X, Mr Zelensky said: 'Russia cannot help but know where its missiles are flying, and must fully answer for all its crimes; against people, against children and against humanity in general.
'It is very important that the world should not be silent about it now.'
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack was one of the heaviest on the city since the invasion began in February 2022. 'It's not war, it is genocide of the Ukrainian population,' he added.
Russia's defence ministry claimed the hospital was hit by a Ukrainian air defence missile.
