Trident submarine returns home after record-breaking patrol - as Streeting warns Russia Britain's nukes 'not up for negotiation'

Detailed summary

Speaking to the Daily Mail as a tired-looking HMS Vengeance sailed into the Clyde on Sunday, the Defence Secretary insisted he would 'not abandon' European allies and cave in to demands by Putin.

Published: 17:55 GMT, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 18:16 GMT, 15 November 2026

Britain's nukes are 'not up for negotiation', Wes Streeting today declared to Russia as he marked the homecoming of a record-breaking nuclear-armed submarine.

Speaking to the Daily Mail as a tired-looking HMS Vengeance sailed into the Clyde on Sunday, the Defence Secretary insisted he would 'not abandon' European allies and cave in to 'delusional' demands by Vladimir Putin.

His comments came after it emerged Kremlin negotiators said Russia would only end its war in Ukraine if Britain agreed to stop protecting Europe with its ultimate weapons.

But Mr Streeting rejected Moscow's proposed ceasefire ultimatum, insisting the UK's commitment to defending its allies with nuclear force was 'unwavering' and 'unshakeable'.

'The fact that Putin has made these demands demonstrates what the nuclear deterrent is, and the deterrence effect it is having in the Kremlin,' he said.

'At a dangerous time for our continent, our nuclear deterrent is not up for negotiation, and we will not abandon our allies in Nato.'

HMS Vengeance finally returned home after a record-breaking 217 days under the waves.

No other submarine has completed more than seven months under the water continuously, with Vengeance's 140-strong crew almost entirely cut off from home for it.

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