UK identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in new defense review, the Guardian reports

[Yommie]

UK identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in new defense review, the Guardian reports​

by Anna Fratsyvir May 31, 2025 1:05 PM 2 min read

The United Kingdom has labeled Russia as an "immediate and pressing" threat in a major strategic defense review set to be published Monday, the Guardian reported on May 31

The 130-page review, prepared by a panel of senior advisers including former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, will reportedly highlight the "immediate and pressing" danger posed by Russia, drawing on lessons from its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The analysis comes at a time of heightened concern across Europe over the potential for expanded conflict, as Russia continues its military buildup in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast and maintains strongholds across occupied Ukrainian territory.

British and French forces have already committed to leading a multinational "reassurance force" of up to 30,000 troops in Ukraine, should a ceasefire be reached, a prospect made uncertain by the Kremlin's continued aggression and maximalist demands.

Ukraine and Russia are expected to meet on June 2 in Istanbul after the first round of peace talks on May 16. During the first round of talks in Turkey the two sides failed to reach agreement on a 30-day ceasefire.

Ukraine had offered an immediate halt to hostilities, an all-for-all prisoner swap, and a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Russia refused, instead sending a low-level delegation.

The only decision reached during the talks was an agreement on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.

Alongside Russia, the review identifies China as a "sophisticated and persistent challenge," noting Beijing's growing ties with Moscow and its role in supplying critical components for Russian weapons systems.

Recently, Zelensky reportedly said that China stopped shipping drones to Ukraine and its European partners, while continues supplying them to Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Chief Oleh Ivashchenko alleged that Beijing provided special chemicals, gunpowder, and other defense-related materials to at least 20 Russian military-industrial facilities.

The British review is also expected to address the shrinking size of the British Army, which has dropped below 71,000 active-duty troops — its lowest strength since the Napoleonic era, the Guardian reported.

Peter Ricketts, a former national security adviser, said that while drones, cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence are crucial, "another lesson of Ukraine is that mass counts, in terms of manpower and equipment."

The report also reportedly references broader global threats posed by a "deadly quartet": Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, who are increasingly collaborating across multiple domains. Iran has supplied drones to Russia, while North Korea have also deployed troops to aid Moscow.

 

[Menthol]

Imagine if the UK were to provoke the USA.

And then it's surprised to see that the USA is an immediate and pressing threat.

I wonder if the UK is that dumb.

 

[poetess]

UK identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in new defense review, the Guardian reports​

by Anna Fratsyvir May 31, 2025 1:05 PM 2 min read

The United Kingdom has labeled Russia as an "immediate and pressing" threat in a major strategic defense review set to be published Monday, the Guardian reported on May 31

The 130-page review, prepared by a panel of senior advisers including former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, will reportedly highlight the "immediate and pressing" danger posed by Russia, drawing on lessons from its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The analysis comes at a time of heightened concern across Europe over the potential for expanded conflict, as Russia continues its military buildup in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast and maintains strongholds across occupied Ukrainian territory.

British and French forces have already committed to leading a multinational "reassurance force" of up to 30,000 troops in Ukraine, should a ceasefire be reached, a prospect made uncertain by the Kremlin's continued aggression and maximalist demands.

Ukraine and Russia are expected to meet on June 2 in Istanbul after the first round of peace talks on May 16. During the first round of talks in Turkey the two sides failed to reach agreement on a 30-day ceasefire.

Ukraine had offered an immediate halt to hostilities, an all-for-all prisoner swap, and a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Russia refused, instead sending a low-level delegation.

The only decision reached during the talks was an agreement on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.

Alongside Russia, the review identifies China as a "sophisticated and persistent challenge," noting Beijing's growing ties with Moscow and its role in supplying critical components for Russian weapons systems.

Recently, Zelensky reportedly said that China stopped shipping drones to Ukraine and its European partners, while continues supplying them to Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Chief Oleh Ivashchenko alleged that Beijing provided special chemicals, gunpowder, and other defense-related materials to at least 20 Russian military-industrial facilities.

The British review is also expected to address the shrinking size of the British Army, which has dropped below 71,000 active-duty troops — its lowest strength since the Napoleonic era, the Guardian reported.

Peter Ricketts, a former national security adviser, said that while drones, cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence are crucial, "another lesson of Ukraine is that mass counts, in terms of manpower and equipment."

The report also reportedly references broader global threats posed by a "deadly quartet": Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, who are increasingly collaborating across multiple domains. Iran has supplied drones to Russia, while North Korea have also deployed troops to aid Moscow.

Unfortunately this is what happens when the UK persists in provoking the bear and getting involved with wars that are none of our business.

 

[Yommie]

Unfortunately this is what happens when the UK persists in provoking the bear and getting involved with wars that are none of our business.

British are obsessed about Russians.

 

[Watandar]

The UK still pretends as if it is some relevant world power.

 

[poetess]

British are obsessed about Russians.

Unfortunately so. I quite like the Russians though. My neighbour was a Russian who was one of the nicest men I've ever met. He defended me against the right wing racists. Rescued my then dog when he got trapped in fence. He was always just a really nice bloke. When the Ukranian war started, he was forced to leave.

Just to say not one British guy would ever be this helpful. Quite frankly I don't like all this Russophobia. Its got so bad that even the Russians turn away from us if we admit being British.

Its time for peace with Russia. There's so much to be shared in friendship. War is wholly counter productive to both countries. Besides, I'd like to buy a furry hat and visit Moscow some day.

 

[Mobius]

Russia is open to peace and resumption of trade with Europe. All it wants in return is security guarantees and the expansion of NATO upto its borders to stop. It seems to be Europe which is the belligerent and in the process of this aggression has shot itself in the foot. German economy is collapsing....UK is suffering with high energy prices.
All this, because the Midget Jew Clown in Kiev wanted Christian Orthodox people to fight amongst themselves and kill each other.....all the while, creating another home for Jews.
When Russia finally loses patience, the UK will cease to exist as we know it. All because the war pigs in Parliament thought they were bigshots in front of the bear.

 

[Hazard]

Brits and Russian have never got along historically, and I don't quite understand why.

UK, along with NATO, are hell bent on dealing with Russia militarily. I don't know what exactly are they hoping to achieve, given nukes are involved on both sides.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Is there any chance some of you are capable of having a discussion without invoking derogatory comments all the time?

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

The UK still pretends as if it is some relevant world power.

Hasn't been since the passing of Roosevelt in April 1945 and Truman sworn into the Presidency. Churchill was quick to recognize that fact but it was too late.

 

[Pioneer]

Hasn't been since the passing of Roosevelt in April 1945 and Truman sworn into the Presidency. Churchill was quick to recognize that fact but it was too late.

Britain tried to struggle once in 1956.

 

[ety]

I thought the British more than anyone in Western Europe think Russia is a perpetual threat to Britain and Europe at large ?