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UK’s Starmer says we must build ‘hard power’ at European security conference

By Thomson Reuters Feb 14, 2026 | 3:44 AM

Feb 14 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the need to ​build “hard power” and be ‌ready to fight if necessary, speaking on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference aimed ‌at ​bolstering European ⁠defence and diplomatic ⁠ties.

“We are not at a crossroads today, the road ahead is straight, and ​it is clear we must build our ⁠hard power, because ⁠that is the ​currency of the age,” he ​said, following European Commission President ‌Ursula von der Leyen’s opening remarks.

“We must be able to deter aggression, ⁠and yes, if necessary, we must be ready to fight, to ⁠do ‌whatever it takes ⁠to protect our ​people, ‌our values and our ​way ⁠of life and, as Europe, we must stand on our own two feet.”

(Reporting by Muvija MEditing by ​Tomasz Janowski)