Starmer warns of Second World War parallels with ‘hatred, tyranny and evil’ of Putin’s Ukraine war

Sir Keir Starmer is warning on the 80th anniversary of VE Day of modern parallels with the Second World War as he condemned the “hatred, tyranny and evil” of Vadimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the veterans of the Second World War who fought in the European theatre, as the UK marks 80 years since the Allies accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany.

As celebrations are taking place across the country, Sir Keir also highlighted that war is raging again in Europe 80 years on.

Speaking at the London Defence Conference, he was expected to say: “Britain’s victory was not just a victory for Britain. It was a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil, for the light of our values – in a world that tried to put them out.

“Now, as you know, there are people who would happily do likewise today. Our values and security are confronted on a daily basis. We must use this moment to deliver security and renewal for our country.”

The comparison between the Second World War and turmoil in the modern world comes just a day after former US president Joe Biden warned about the impact of allowing Putin to keep territory he has captured in Ukraine as part of a peace deal.

Mr Biden said his successor Donald Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to give up territory to Russia amounted to “modern-day appeasement”.

The charged, historical term refers to a failed effort to stop the Nazis annexing power through a peace agreement in the 1930s.

Sir Keir also stressed that the UK had to seize the “dividend” from his plans to raise defence spending.

The Prime Minister was also set to announce a £563 million contract for Rolls-Royce for the maintenance of Britain’s fleet of Typhoon fighter jets.

Ministers have been keen to stress the boost to jobs and prosperity that plans to increase the UK’s defence spending to 2.5% of economic output by 2027 could provide, as they seek to grow the economy.

In Ukraine, Russia has launched a series of recent deadly attacks on Kyiv and other cities, as Putin has rejected Trump’s peace proposals.

Ukraine has sent drones to target Moscow ahead of a three-day ceasefire proposed by Putin timed to coincide as Russia celebrates Victory Day over Nazi Germany on May 9.

Putin thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday for coming to Moscow to take part in ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of Russia’s “sacred” victory over the Nazis.

In London, British Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This is a day to look back and to celebrate that moment 80 years ago when we secured the peace.

“But it is also a call and a challenge to act to try and restore the peace because we face war in Europe again for the first time in 80 years with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.”

He branded Putin as “the problem” to agreeing a 30-day ceasefire, ahead of peace talks, which Ukraine was ready to accept.