Europe must be ready to fight to protect its people, values, and way of life, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told world leaders on Saturday.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Starmer also called for deeper links and cooperation, including economic ties, between the UK and EU.

The PM stressed the continent must "stand on its own two feet" when it comes to defence commitments.

During his speech, Starmer also said the UK would deploy its carrier strike group to the Arctic and High North as part of efforts to bolster security against Russian threats.

The High North - a term used to describe the northernmost part of the globe - includes the Arctic circle and areas adjacent to it.

Starmer said the US, Canada and other Nato allies would also join the initiative to combat Russian threats in the region.

Russian rearmament following a future peace deal for Ukraine would "only accelerate" and Europe must be prepared to "deter aggression" and be ready to fight if necessary, he added.

"We must build our hard power, because that is the currency of the age," he told the conference.

Starmer announces deployment of carrier strike group to Arctic

Confronted over Greenland, Europe is ditching its softly-softly approach to Trump

US President Donald Trump has previously questioned whether European partners would adhere to the commitment to defend its allies if called upon, known as Article 5.

The alliance was formed in 1949 with the primary aim of blocking expansion in Europe by the former Soviet Union.

Numbering 32 members, including several Eastern European countries, Article 5 is one of Nato's core principles. It says that an armed attack against one or more members will be considered an attack against all.

But Starmer sought to dispel Trump's doubts, telling the conference that the UK's commitment to Article 5 is "as profound now as ever".

He added: "Be in no doubt, if called on, the UK would come to your aid today."

Delivering her speech prior to the PM, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Starmer as an "unflinching ally and friend," and said both the EU and UK faced the threat of "outside forces trying to weaken our union from within".

She said Europe had undergone "shock therapy" from the US and must take more responsibility for its defence.

"Europe needs to step up and has to take on its responsibility," she added.

Von der Leyen also called for more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, posting on X: "Now is the time to raise the costs of Russia's war higher than ever."

Downing Street said the pair met in Munich on Saturday and "agreed that Europe needs to step up and work towards becoming a more European Nato".

British warships, including an aircraft carrier, will patrol the Arctic, Starmer said

Although Starmer's Labour government has worked to "re-set" the relationship with Brussels following Brexit in January 2020, it had previously pledged not to return to the single market.

Marking a shift in policy, the PM insisted the EU-UK status quo was "not fit for purpose" and acknowledged there would be "trade-offs" as a result.

Speaking on "closer economic alignment" with the EU, he told the audience: "We must look at where we could move closer to the single market in other sectors as well, where that would work for both sides.

"The prize here is greater security, stronger growth for the United Kingdom and the EU, which will fuel increased defence spending, and the chance to place the UK at the centre of a wave of European industrial renewal."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for a strengthening of European defence capabilities, "in a co-ordinated and targeted way", as well as the need to "stop Putin".

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe needs to do more collectively when it comes to security in the Arctic region.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he did not believe Russia would test the resolve of Article 5, and that he did not see a "direct threat" from Russia to Nato currently.

Starmer's speech at the annual Munich Security Conference, an event billed as the world's leading forum for debating challenges to international security, came after a tumultuous week which saw him face the most perilous threat to his premiership so far.

The PM's accepted misjudgement in appointing Peter Mandelson, despite his known links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, had many Labour MPs asking themselves whether they wanted to stick with Starmer.

Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, even went as far as to call for his resignation.

On Monday afternoon, many in Westminster concluded that Starmer would not see out the day without resigning - but his cabinet rallied around him and he survived.

Asked whether domestic challenges left him vulnerable, the PM told the crowd of world leaders and politicians in Munich: "No, I reject that. I ended the week much stronger than I started it.

"And that's a very good place to be". (BBC)

Update news