In a direct message to Vladimir Putin, the UK PM on Friday said that since Russia initiated the war in Ukraine it could end it anytime. Keir Starmer made these comments while heading to Washington to meet with US President Joe Biden.
Aiming to justify the decision by western nations to allow Ukraine to launch attacks inside Russia using partly British-made Storm Shadow missiles, Starmer emphasised Kyiv’s right to self-defense.”Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict straight away. Ukraine has the right to self-defense,” he said.
A recent agreement between the US, UK, and other allies will permit Ukraine to hit military targets inside Russia with Storm Shadow missiles, which have been a longstanding request from Kyiv.
Putin responded to this move by stating that it would drastically change the conflict’s nature and imply that Nato is at war with Russia. He mentioned that Russia would take “appropriate decisions based on the threats that we will face.”
Starmer, on a plane to Washington DC for a summit with Biden, discussed the need for strategic decisions on Ukraine. He also highlighted the importance of coordination in military support to Ukraine and mentioned upcoming developments in Ukraine and the Middle East.
David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, mentioned the necessity of equipping Ukraine to defeat Russia, noting, “We are here also, of course, at a time when it is crystal clear Russia is escalating with its friend Iran, taking a consignment of ballistic missiles.”
Ukraine has long sought to use Storm Shadow and US-made Atacms missiles, arguing that it needs to hit military targets inside Russia in response to repeated Russian attacks.
However, there has been hesitation from the US in authorizing such retaliation to avoid escalating the conflict. This stance changed when Russia received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
Both the US and UK stressed that any use of Storm Shadow missiles must be part of a broader strategy to end the conflict. Starmer’s visit with Biden aimed for a strategic discussion about Ukraine, Gaza, and other foreign policy matters. He noted that it is essential for allies to discuss these issues, but the decision for peace talks lies with President Zelenskyy.
Aiming to justify the decision by western nations to allow Ukraine to launch attacks inside Russia using partly British-made Storm Shadow missiles, Starmer emphasised Kyiv’s right to self-defense.”Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict straight away. Ukraine has the right to self-defense,” he said.
A recent agreement between the US, UK, and other allies will permit Ukraine to hit military targets inside Russia with Storm Shadow missiles, which have been a longstanding request from Kyiv.
Putin responded to this move by stating that it would drastically change the conflict’s nature and imply that Nato is at war with Russia. He mentioned that Russia would take “appropriate decisions based on the threats that we will face.”
Starmer, on a plane to Washington DC for a summit with Biden, discussed the need for strategic decisions on Ukraine. He also highlighted the importance of coordination in military support to Ukraine and mentioned upcoming developments in Ukraine and the Middle East.
David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, mentioned the necessity of equipping Ukraine to defeat Russia, noting, “We are here also, of course, at a time when it is crystal clear Russia is escalating with its friend Iran, taking a consignment of ballistic missiles.”
Ukraine has long sought to use Storm Shadow and US-made Atacms missiles, arguing that it needs to hit military targets inside Russia in response to repeated Russian attacks.
However, there has been hesitation from the US in authorizing such retaliation to avoid escalating the conflict. This stance changed when Russia received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
Both the US and UK stressed that any use of Storm Shadow missiles must be part of a broader strategy to end the conflict. Starmer’s visit with Biden aimed for a strategic discussion about Ukraine, Gaza, and other foreign policy matters. He noted that it is essential for allies to discuss these issues, but the decision for peace talks lies with President Zelenskyy.