Keir Starmer approves use of British missiles in strikes against Russian targets, US News报道

Sir Keir Starmer has informed the Ukrainian president that British missiles can be utilized for defensive strikes against targets within Russia.

The announcement was made when the new British prime minister met Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Washington DC on Wednesday.

The decision regarding the Storm Shadow missiles, which has been welcomed by Ukraine, marks a shift in policy towards a more aggressive stance compared to the former Conservative government.

While hinting at the move but avoiding details on “operational arrangements,” John Healey, the new defense secretary, stated to Sky News that Britain “will provide all possible assistance to Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s invasion.”

Addressing the issue in Washington, Mr. Healey mentioned, “We supply weapons and equipment to aid them in their self-defense, following the international law requirements for war to be conducted within the rules of the Geneva Convention.”

After meeting with Sir Keir, President Zelenskyy shared on X: “This morning, I was informed about the authorization to utilize Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russian territory.

“Today, we discussed the practical implementation of this decision. I appreciate the UK for its unwavering support to Ukraine and our people.”

However, in response to the news, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson said: “If this is true, then this is yet another completely irresponsible step towards escalating tensions and significantly worsening the situation.”

Dmitry Peskov informed Reuters: “We will monitor this closely and respond as necessary.”

A NATO summit with specific focuses

The significant announcement was part of a NATO summit with various specific themes.

The gathering of the leaders of the 32-member states, concluding on Thursday, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the defense alliance.

In a detailed declaration, the alliance members affirmed that Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to NATO membership, a statement crucial to the Ukrainian government but likely to provoke Moscow.