A top NATO official is now warning that World War Three could come soon but the UK's defence budget has a £28 billion black hole

08:53, Fri, Jan 9, 2026 Updated: 08:53, Fri, Jan 9, 2026

Dramatic footage shows US coast guard boat during seizure of Russian tanker

Dramatic footage shows US coast guard boat during seizure of Russian tanker (Image: US_EUCOM / SWNS)

SIR Keir Starmer has been issued a blunt warning from military chiefs that the UK is not ready for war, and they need an extra £28 billion to avoid cuts in the armed forces.

But even NATO bosses are now warning that the UK could be dragged in to war with Russia, and some experts say the introduction of conscription is possible.

It comes after the UK assisted the US in seizing a Russian-flagged tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic.

But Donald Trump has repeated his desire to seize Greenland, part of the territory of Denmark, a NATO member. If the US did this, it threatens to destroy the NATO military alliance.

Follow our live coverage below:

30 mins ago08:30 Jonathan Walker

Donald Trump suggests he is not committed to NATO

Donald Trump casts more doubt US commitment to defending Europe, telling the New York Times “it may be a choice” between preserving NATO and obtaining Greenland - and owning Greenland is “very important”.

The UK currently depends heavily on the NATO military alliance for its defence.

31 mins ago08:29 Jonathan Walker

Some experts believe conscription may be needed

Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, a former Army officer and veteran of Afghanistan, has said conscription may be needed.

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37 mins ago08:23 Jonathan Walker

Nato chief warns there is a real risk the UK could go to war

There is “a real risk” of the UK becoming involved in a war with Russia, a top NATO official said.

James Appathurai, Nato’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, said: “There is a real risk of war. We have heard that from our intelligence chiefs, from our political leaders across Europe. And we need to be strong so that there isn’t war. The best deterrent will be that we are capable.”

Read the full story here

38 mins ago08:22 Jonathan Walker

UK could be forced to make cuts to its armed forces

Military chiefs have warned the Prime Minister they will be forced to make cuts to the armed forces because there is a £28 billion shortfall in their budget - just as fears of that the UK will be drawn into war with Russia grow.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, delivered the message in a Downing Street meeting before Christmas, it has been reported in the Times.