British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to attend the Nato summit in Ankara this week amid growing criticism over the United Kingdom’s defence spending and its diminishing role within the alliance. With less than two weeks left in office, Starmer faces pressure not only from international partners but also from domestic political developments, including the anticipated succession of Andy Burnham as Labour leader and incoming prime minister.

Starmer had planned to use the summit to promote a recently published Defence Investment Plan (Dip), which outlines a £15 billion increase in defence spending. However, critics have highlighted significant funding gaps within the plan, noting that roughly one-third of the proposed increase—around £4.7 billion—remains unfunded and will need to be addressed by Burnham’s government. The plan projects defence spending at 2.7 percent of GDP by 2028, plateauing thereafter, far below Nato’s target levels.

Officials and analysts express concerns about Britain’s declining position in Nato defence commitments. Once the alliance’s third-largest military spender relative to GDP in 2015, Britain now ranks 12th, trailing countries such as Poland and the Baltic states. A defence source attending the summit described the situation as “disappointing,” warning that Britain risks being viewed as an “also-ran” within the alliance.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has intensified pressure on allies to meet or exceed agreed defence spending benchmarks, currently set at 2 percent of GDP with aspirations toward 3.5 percent within the coming decade. Trump’s administration has singled out several NATO members for lagging contributions and is expected to use the summit to demand urgent action. Matthew Whitaker, the US ambassador to Nato, emphasized the expectation that all allies step up their commitments immediately.

Trump is scheduled to engage in bilateral talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during the summit. While a direct meeting between Trump and Starmer is anticipated in the main group sessions, US officials have indicated that Starmer may face sharp questioning over the UK’s defence posture, with some expecting that Britain’s defence shortcomings could overshadow his final foreign engagement as prime minister.

Critics from across the political spectrum have characterized Starmer’s approach as inadequate, particularly amid rising global security threats. Former military officials and opposition figures argue that the UK must adopt a more robust defence strategy and rapidly increase spending to maintain its strategic influence. At the same time, some allies have expressed understanding of the complexities faced by Starmer during a turbulent domestic political period.

The summit is also set against a backdrop of heightened tension within Nato due to concerns over Russian “greyzone” activities targeting member states, including cyberattacks and sabotage operations reported by Polish intelligence. Such threats underscore the importance of strong collective defence capabilities and raise questions about the alliance’s preparedness, particularly in eastern Europe.

As the leadership transition looms in London, Andy Burnham has pledged to address the defence funding shortfall with a commitment to close the gap swiftly upon taking office. Yet uncertainty remains about how quickly these ambitions can be translated into concrete policy and whether Britain can reclaim its once-prominent role within Nato.

The Ankara summit, expected to begin shortly, thus presents a critical juncture for the UK’s defence and diplomatic standing, with Starmer’s legacy on the line amid intensified scrutiny from both allies and adversaries.