Starmer: It is up to Ukraine how it deploys missiles
United Kingdom is one of the key allies of Kiev. The new Prime Minister Starmer now allows Ukraine to use British military aid as they see fit - even against military targets on Russian territory.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signaled that Ukraine can fire British-supplied rockets with longer range at military targets in Russia. The British military aid is for "defensive purposes", but "it is up to Ukraine to decide how to use it for these defensive purposes", Starmer told reporters on his flight to Washington for the NATO summit.
Starmer thus confirmed that his Labour government has the same stance on air-launched rockets as the conservative preceding governments under Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, and Boris Johnson. The new premier took office on Friday following a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. The United Kingdom has been one of the most steadfast allies of Ukraine since Russia began its aggression war against Ukraine in February 2022.
London has supported Kiev with money, weapons deliveries, and training for soldiers. It was the first country to supply Ukraine with weapons of longer range. At the summit, the heads of state and government of the alliance are expected to offer new military aid to Ukraine in the amount of 40 billion Euros per year, as well as new bilateral security guarantees for Kiev. However, the invitation to join the EU requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be given yet.
- Keir Starmer's Labour government, as the new prime minister of Great Britain, has maintained the country's steadfast support for Ukraine, particularly in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
- During his flight to Washington for the NATO summit, Starmer clarified that British military aid, including rockets with extended range, can be used by Ukraine for defensive purposes, with the final decision on their use lying with Ukraine.
- Since Russia initiated its aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, London has been a significant ally to Kiev, providing financial aid, weapons deliveries, and military training.
- Following the parliamentary elections that saw him take office, Starmer has followed in the footsteps of his Conservative predecessors Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, and Boris Johnson in allowing Ukraine to use British-supplied military aid, even if it targets military installations in Russian territory, citing defensive purposes.
