Now Zelensky hits out at Labour's 'delay' in ramping up defence spending as Chancellor prepares to kick decisions on meeting NATO targets until next autumn

Published: 06:15 EDT, 28 October 2026 | Updated: 06:16 EDT, 28 October 2026 Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a swipe at Labour's 'delay' in ramping up defence spending in the face of the threat from Russia.The Ukrainian President, who is battling Vladimir Putin's forces in the east and south of his country, urged Chancellor John Healey to make defence his top priority.Ahead of Mr Healey unveiling his first Budget today, Mr Zelensky said: 'Can the UK trust Russia or not? If not, defence needs to be 100 per cent the priority.'My advice to John is don't delay. Sorry John... but it's important to be direct.'However, despite the warning from Mr Zelensky, the Chancellor is not expected to set out how he will meet a NATO defence spending target on Wednesday.Instead, full details of how the Government will reach defence spending of 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035 are not due to come until a spending review next autumn. Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a swipe at Labour's 'delay' in ramping up defence spending in the face of the threat from Russia The Ukrainian President, who is battling Vladimir Putin's forces in the east and south of his country, urged Chancellor John Healey to make defence his top priority.It is thought Mr Healey will only use his Budget to offer a 'downpayment' on reaching 3 per cent of GDP on defence spending by 2030.This will reportedly come by putting more money into the state-owned National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank, with some of the cash then invested in UK defence firms.The move - which will raise the percentage of the UK's GDP spent on defence - is expected to benefit drone manufacturers and military tech firms.But it could prove controversial as it pushes increased defence spending to long-term borrowing, rather than spending cuts elsewhere - such as to the welfare bill - that the Tories have called for.The expected wait for Mr Healey to set out how Britain will meet the 3 per cent or 3.5 per cent mark comes despite him having resigned as defence secretary from ex-prime minister Keir Starmer's administration over the issue.In a further warning to Britain and other allies, Mr Zelensky called on European nations to boost their militaries.The Ukrainian President told The Sun: 'You need to build your military and tactical facilities and rebuild a lot of different things.'Air defence is weak in Europe, not only in the UK. We have to understand and respect today's situation.'I don't know all the problems but I think Russian policy is very dangerous.'Mr Zelensky also urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham and other world leaders to challenge US President Donald Trump over growing fears he is siding with Russia.He told the newspaper: 'This is one of our weapons - to speak honestly, to be open and to be clear.'There's a lot of pressure on Ukraine at this moment, of course, and I have to be louder and I will be.'I'm very thankful to Andy, personally, because after all these things, these challenges, difficult nights, very tough nights for our people, he reacted very quickly. But can they be more direct? Yes.'Mr Trump has recently stepped up his personal attacks on Mr Zelensky while easing US sanctions on Russia.He last week claimed Russia - which launched its full-scale assault against Ukraine in 2022 - had been 'fine on Ukraine', adding: 'They haven't been doing much.'