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The UK’s national security is facing a “generational challenge”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Speaking ahead of the summit in Paris today, the prime minister stressed the need for continued support for Ukraine and called on allies to “step up”.

 “We’re facing a generational challenge when it comes to national security,” he said.

“I think there’s a bigger piece here as well, which is that this isn’t just about the frontline in Ukraine. It’s the frontline of Europe and of the UK. It’s about our national security and I think that we need to do more.”

The prime minister also said it was crucial for all of Europe to spend more on defence 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,” he added.

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

The push for continued Ukrainian support comes off the back of  hastily arranged crisis talks in Paris by European leaders and a meeting between the Trump administration and Russia in Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s push for a quick way out of Russia’s war on Ukraine has stirred concern and uncertainty from European leaders.

The US leader appeared to make concessions to Russia in advance of peace negotiations by ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine and accepting the country would have to forfeit some of its territory.