Politics latest: Trump's approach to Russia 'looks like appeasement' (2025)

We're signing off for the day - another one that has seen the war in Ukraine and European defence hang over British politics.

There seems little doubt across the political spectrum that the government needs to accelerate plans to increase defence spending, and attention has started to turn to how the country can afford it.

For a catch-up on the day's main talking points, including the potential cuts facing departments from justice to culture, scroll down or tap through the key points above.

We'll be back tomorrow morning.

There seems to be agreement across the political divide that Britain should spend more on defence.

But after decades of cuts, and reliance on the US, it won't be easy or cheap turning things around.

So how much does defence cost the UK right now? And how many soldiers could really be sent to Ukraine?

Sky's Matt Barbet talks you through the numbers:

Some government departments have been asked to make savings which would amount to an 11% cut in spending - as the prime minister faces calls to raise defence spending.

Sky News has been told that departments which do not have their spending protected have been asked to model two options - "flat" spending, which, adjusted for inflation, amounts to a cut; and a deeper reduction amounting to 11% in real terms.

No final decisions on departmental spending will be taken until the Treasury's spending review, which sets departmental budgets for three years, and will be completed in June.

Decisions on possible spending cuts by departments have been described by sources as "incredibly difficult".

It comes amid calls to increase defence spending, in the light of the Trump administration's warning toEuropean nations to shoulder their own security - and send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

Keir Starmer has promised to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP but has not set out when this will be achieved. Ministers say a defence review to be published this Spring will set out a "roadmap" to it.

Those departments with their budgets protected include the NHS, childcare and schools, defence and overseas aid at 0.5%.

This raises the prospect of more severe cuts for unprotected departments including local government, which is responsible for social care, justice, including courts and prisons, the environment, home office and culture.

While complimentary about Sir Keir Starmer's approach to Ukraine and America, Tony Abbott is less convinced about his willingness to give the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.

The former Australian prime minister says it seems driven by a "misguided desire to pay reparations", after a 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice that the UK should seem to give them up.

The government's deal would see Britain maintain a long-term lease on Diego Garcia, a military base mostly used by the US, but opponents to the deal say giving up the territory is a bad strategic move given China's growing influence in the region.

Abbott says it's nonsensical to be paying Mauritius billions of pounds to take the territory, adding: "Keep what you've got."

Sophy Ridge's conversation with Tony Abbott turns to trade.

The former Australian PM is asked whether he fears Donald Trump's tariffs could have an impact on his homeland.

He downplays Trump's early decision to target Canada and Mexico, saying the president used tariffs as a "bargaining ploy" to get them to adopt tougher measures on their borders with the US.

But since then, Trump has announced blanket tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Abbott, a conservative politician, thinks "free-er trade" with its traditional allies is ultimately in America's interests.

"I would very much like to see a free trade deal between Britain and the US," he adds, saying it would be a "wonderful economic complement" to the countries' security partnership.

"Let's hope that's something the Starmer government and the Trump administration might be about to embark upon it."

Sophy Ridge has been chatting to former Australian PM Tony Abbott, who's been here in London for a conservative conference.

There may be plenty of admirers of Donald Trump in attendance, including Nigel Farage, but Abbott has warned the president against a peace deal with Russia that leaves Ukraine "broken".

Russian and US officials have started discussing how to end the war, without any European or Ukrainian input, and the Trump administration has indicated it wants nothing more to do with the conflict.

Last week, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Ukraine would probably have to concede territory seized by Russia - and give up its NATO ambitions too.

Abbott said any agreement that could be viewed as a triumph for Vladimir Putin would be a "blight" upon the Trump presidency.

Starmer 'brave' to offer UK troops

But he said it was right for Europe to stop "riding on America's coattails", and praised Sir Keir Starmer for "sensibly and bravely" suggesting Britain could contribute to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the war.

While Starmer's seeking a US "security guarantee", though, Abbott believes the UK could "assemble a substantial coalition of allies" without America's help - and pointed to its nuclear deterrent.

"Britain should be prepared to lead here," he said - and could even look elsewhere outside Europe for help - including Australia.

'Who is safe against the bully?'

He said: "I personally think Australia should be prepared to make a contribution to the long term freedom and security of Ukraine.

"Ever since this terrible conflict began, the Ukrainians have been fighting for the freedom of everyone.

"And if Putin is able to snuff out the freedom and the independence of Ukraine, what smaller country, anywhere, is safe against the bully?"

Ben Wallace uses his interview with Sophy Ridge to highlight a cause he has long been championing - more defence spending.

The former Tory defence secretary says he doesn't think "the penny has dropped" across Europe regarding just how seriously it needs to be taken given the "clear remarks" coming from the US.

Trump officials have repeatedly said European countries need to carry more weight when it comes to defence, and Wallace says the continent "has been deaf to it for a decade".

In the UK, Labour have said they will get to 2.5% of national income on defence (up from around 2.3%), but have not said when.

The Tories had pledged to hit that target by 2030, but Wallace thinks we now need to be spending 3% by then.

That means getting to 2.5% by 2026 or 2027, he says.

"You have to invest - and it takes time," he adds, but getting to 3% means the country can defend itself and "take action wherever we wish to, to defend ourselves and our allies".

It undoubtedly means "real cuts to other budgets", he admits, and says the prime minister has tough choices to make.

"He needs to stand up and say he's cutting the roads budget or the aid budget or the pensions bill or whatever it is, to show defence is a higher priority than it's been in the past."

Watch: Defence secretary on need to 're-arm Britain'

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace says there are echoes of the Munich conference of 1938 in how Donald Trump has begun his negotiations over the war in Ukraine.

"Appeasement" has become the buzzword associated with that conference before the Second World War, the hope that if the Allies offered Hitler "just a little bit more" then things would be fine.

Not only did the Allies allow him to take more of Czechoslovakia, but Czechoslovakia "wasn't in the room", he tells Sophy Ridge.

All the while, Hitler had grander plans.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the US-Russia peace talks have omitted Ukraine and Europe, and Trump's team has indicated Kyiv will need to make major concessions - including giving up land and its NATO ambition.

"Trump's opening gambit looked like appeasement," says Wallace.

'Putin won't give up'

Wallace says he's sure Putin wants peace for now because "Russia is lesser because of his actions".

But "he won't give up his views of a greater Russia and determination to absorb Ukraine".

Joining Sophy Ridge is former defence secretary Ben Wallace.

He's not impressed by the start of talks between the US and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine, with Donald Trump hoping to do a quick deal that brings the conflict to an end.

The ex-Tory minister criticises America's lack of commitment to helping uphold any peace, and excluding Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Europe from the talks thus far.

Coupled with Russia's "red line" of there being no foreign troops in Ukraine after the war, the talks are "not off to a great start".

Wallace says Russia doesn't want peacekeeping troops in Ukraine "because Putin will be back for more".

"Russia is up to its old tricks," he tells Sophy, "telling Ukraine what it can and can't do with its own territory."

Negotiating teams appointed, the end to the war in Ukraine could be in sight - but on what terms and at what cost?

Donald Trump - the businessman turned president, who never really stopped being a businessman - has been clear he wants a quick deal.

But as any businessman will tell you, quick deals come at a high price.

And things are moving very quickly indeed.

Today in Saudi Arabia, the US and Russia sat down together - something that would have been unimaginable just a month ago.

They started peace negotiations with no Europe or Ukraine at the table, and yet the reality is it's Europe and above all Ukraine who will end up paying the high price for this quick deal.

Trump has been clear - no US boots on the ground to try to keep the peace, instead that will fall to Europe.

The UK has so far committed £12.8bn to Ukraine - that number is set to rise, and if Trump really means it when he says Europe can't rely on the US for defence and security, spending will need to go up many times that.

Diplomacy with the US is now in overdrive - a quick deal could end up coming with a very high price tag indeed.