Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning (Image: Getty)
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Chancellor John Healey not to delay increases to the UK defence budget. In a stunning intervention, the leader of the war-torn country told The Sun that he wanted to see the UK stand by its commitments and get Britain ready for war.
Mr Zelensky has been leading his nation in a war against Russia since Vladimir Putin ordered an illegal invasion of the country. He said: “Can the United Kingdom trust Russia or not? If not, defence needs to be 100% the priority. My advice to John is don’t delay. Sorry, John … but it’s important to be direct.”
He warned that the Russian despot was “testing everything and testing everyone” as he said the “danger of Russia is bigger than Ukraine“, suggesting that Putin could be eyeing up Europe.
There have been mounting concerns that the Kremlin has got its eyes on the so-called “High North”, the region around the Arctic where the UK has critical infrastructure.
In April, Britain revealed it had tracked three Russian submarines carrying out a covert operation over undersea cables and pipelines north of the UK.
The warning comes just months after Mr Healey resigned as defence secretary under Sir Keir Starmer in a row over spending, accusing the department he now leads – the Treasury – of being “unwilling” to foot the bill.
Downing Street has delayed setting out a detailed plan for meeting its pledge to spend 3% of GDP on defence until next year. Many critics now fear this will leave the country exposed to increased aggression from Moscow.
Mr Zelensky said: “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 Healey will deliver his first Budget on Wednesday. An ally of the Chancellor told The Sun he would “fund the Defence Investment Plan in full”.
Defence spending is currently on track to reach only 2.7% of GDP by 2030, short of the 3% Mr Healey called for when he quit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a serious warning to British Chancellor John Healey just hours before the government’s first Budget, calling on the United Kingdom to make defence spending its absolute priority. His intervention has attracted considerable attention because it comes at a time when Britain is facing difficult decisions about public finances, national security and its responsibilities towards Ukraine. With Russia continuing its military campaign against Ukraine and concerns growing about the wider security of Europe, Zelensky believes that Britain cannot afford to delay strengthening its armed forces.
In an interview with The Sun ahead of the Budget on 28 October 2026, Zelensky delivered a direct message to the British government. He questioned whether the United Kingdom could genuinely trust Russia and argued that defence should receive the highest priority if the answer was no. His seven-word message to Healey was particularly striking: “My advice to John is don’t delay.” The Ukrainian president added an apology for speaking so directly, explaining that the seriousness of the situation required honest and immediate action.
Zelensky’s warning reflects his growing concern about the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has developed into one of the most significant security challenges facing Europe. Thousands of people have been killed, millions have been displaced and large areas of Ukrainian infrastructure have been destroyed. Despite international diplomatic efforts and military assistance from Western countries, the war continues to create serious humanitarian and economic consequences.
The Ukrainian leader believes that the threat posed by Russia extends beyond the borders of his own country. During the interview, he warned that Putin was testing the determination and capabilities of Western nations. He argued that European governments should not assume that Russia’s ambitions would remain limited to Ukraine. In his view, the security of the entire continent could be affected if European countries failed to strengthen their military capabilities and demonstrate their willingness to defend themselves.
One of Zelensky’s main concerns is Britain’s defence readiness. He argued that the United Kingdom and other European countries need to invest more heavily in military equipment, tactical facilities and modern defence infrastructure. He specifically highlighted weaknesses in European air defence systems, suggesting that improvements are necessary to protect critical infrastructure and civilian populations from potential attacks. Modern warfare has demonstrated the importance of air defence, particularly as missiles, drones and other advanced weapons have become increasingly significant on the battlefield.
The warning also places pressure on John Healey because of his previous experience as Defence Secretary. Healey has previously expressed concerns about Britain’s military preparedness and the need for greater defence investment. He has supported increasing defence expenditure to three per cent of gross domestic product by 2030. However, the government’s detailed plan for achieving this target has been delayed until the following year, raising questions about whether Britain is moving quickly enough to strengthen its armed forces.
For Zelensky, announcing future spending targets is not enough. He believes that governments must translate political promises into practical military capabilities. This includes purchasing modern weapons, improving military training, expanding ammunition production and strengthening air defence systems. These investments require considerable financial resources, but they can take several years to produce results. Consequently, delaying decisions could create difficulties if the international security situation deteriorates further.
The Ukrainian president’s intervention came at a particularly important moment because Healey was preparing to deliver his first Budget. The Chancellor faced competing demands from different sectors of British society. Healthcare, education, housing, social care and infrastructure all require substantial public investment. At the same time, the government must address national security concerns and maintain its financial commitments to international partners. Increasing defence spending therefore presents a difficult political and economic challenge.
Nevertheless, the Budget included a significant financial commitment to Ukraine. On the morning of 28 October, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey spoke directly with Zelensky before the Cabinet meeting. During the conversation, the British leaders explained that the government would provide an additional £10 billion in economic and military support to Ukraine.
According to the government announcement, the package includes £500 million in additional military assistance to address urgent air defence requirements during the winter. A further £7 billion in economic support will be made available over three years, while £3 billion in additional UK Export Finance capacity will also support Ukraine. The government described the package as the largest financial commitment Britain has made to Ukraine.
Healey subsequently confirmed the announcement in Parliament, explaining that the additional assistance would be delivered through loans, export finance guarantees and direct military funding. He also revealed that Zelensky had responded positively to the announcement, telling the British leaders, “You’ve made my day.” This response suggested that the additional financial commitment was particularly welcome at a time when Ukraine continues to face serious military and economic challenges.
The announcement demonstrates the importance of Britain’s relationship with Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the United Kingdom has provided military equipment, financial assistance, humanitarian support and diplomatic backing to Kyiv. British support has included weapons, training for Ukrainian soldiers and assistance with strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities. Such assistance has played an important role in helping Ukraine resist Russian military operations.
However, providing financial support to Ukraine is only one part of Britain’s wider security responsibilities. The government must also ensure that its own armed forces have the equipment, personnel and resources necessary to protect the country. This requires long-term planning and investment in areas such as air defence, naval capabilities, military technology, intelligence and cybersecurity. Britain’s geographical position does not remove the need to prepare for modern security threats, particularly when hostile activities can affect infrastructure far beyond traditional battlefields.
Another concern raised by Zelensky involves the wider European security environment. Several European countries have become increasingly aware that their military capabilities need to be strengthened following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO members have discussed increasing defence expenditure, improving cooperation and ensuring that their armed forces can respond effectively to potential threats. However, achieving these objectives requires coordination between governments, defence industries and military organisations.
The United Kingdom also faces the challenge of balancing defence investment against domestic economic pressures. Increasing military expenditure means that more public money must be allocated to defence programmes. This may require difficult decisions about taxation, borrowing and spending priorities. Some taxpayers may question why additional resources should be directed towards military programmes when public services are already under pressure. Others argue that national security is a fundamental responsibility of government and that failing to invest in defence could create much greater costs in the future.
There is also an important economic dimension to defence spending. Investment in the British defence industry can create employment opportunities, encourage technological innovation and support manufacturing. Producing military equipment domestically may also reduce dependence on overseas suppliers and improve the country’s ability to respond to emergencies. However, defence projects must be carefully managed to ensure that public money is spent effectively and that equipment is delivered on time.
Zelensky’s warning also highlights the importance of international cooperation. No European country can address every security challenge independently. Britain needs to work closely with NATO allies, European partners and other international organisations to strengthen collective defence. Sharing intelligence, coordinating military training and developing compatible equipment can improve the effectiveness of joint operations. Strong international partnerships may also discourage potential aggression by demonstrating that an attack on one country could have consequences for a much wider alliance.
At the same time, it is important to recognise that Zelensky’s warnings represent the perspective of a leader whose country is directly involved in an ongoing war. His assessment of the Russian threat is shaped by Ukraine’s experience of invasion and continued military attacks. Other European governments may differ over the appropriate pace and scale of defence spending. Nevertheless, the security questions he has raised deserve serious consideration because decisions about military preparedness can have consequences for many years.
The British government must therefore explain how it intends to meet its defence spending commitments and ensure that additional resources produce practical improvements. A target of three per cent of GDP by 2030 will require a clear timetable, effective procurement policies and sufficient investment in personnel and equipment. It will also require close cooperation with defence manufacturers and international partners. Without effective implementation, higher spending alone will not necessarily guarantee greater military readiness.
Ultimately, the debate is about whether Britain should treat defence as an immediate priority or continue to increase investment gradually while addressing other domestic challenges. Zelensky believes that delaying military preparations could create serious risks for the United Kingdom and its European allies. His message to Healey was therefore intended to encourage faster action and greater recognition of the changing security environment.
In conclusion, Volodymyr Zelensky’s seven-word warning to John Healey, “My advice to John is don’t delay”, has brought renewed attention to Britain’s defence priorities ahead of the October 2026 Budget. His concerns reflect the continuing threat posed by Russia, weaknesses in European air defence and the need for stronger military preparedness. The government’s additional £10 billion support package for Ukraine demonstrates its commitment to helping Kyiv, while the debate over domestic defence spending remains an important challenge. Britain must now consider how to balance national security, economic stability and public service investment. Ultimately, effective defence policy requires more than political promises. It demands long-term planning, adequate resources and practical action to ensure that the United Kingdom and its allies are prepared to respond to future security challenges.