The UK Prime Minister expresses no desire for a confrontation with Russia.
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As some Western nations consider allowing Ukraine to utilize their weaponry for attacks within Russian territory, Moscow is raising alarms. Russian leader Putin issues a threat of a war with NATO. British Prime Minister Starmer attempts to deescalate the tensions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer contradicts Putin's assertion that supplying Ukraine with weapons capable of strikes deep into Russian territory equates to NATO's involvement in the conflict. Starmer reiterated on his way to Washington that the UK does not desire a confrontation with Russia. "Ukraine possesses a right to self-defense," a right that Britain wholeheartedly supports and even offers training opportunities for, Starmer stated. "However, we are not keen on provoking a conflict with Russia - that's not our intention," the British Prime Minister emphasized.
Ukraine has repeatedly urged Britain and the US for authorization to employ longer-range missiles against targets in Russian territory. This topic is anticipated to emerge in Starmer's discussions with US President Biden in Washington today. "I aim to ensure that these strategic talks are grounded within the proper context of the Ukraine situation," Starmer noted.
No clear position declared yet
Officially, the US restricts the use of its weapons against Russia to defending against Russia's offensive against the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The British government has yet to announce a clear stance on what Ukraine is permitted to do with the weapons it receives. As reported by the British "Guardian", a decision has already been made. to permit Ukraine to employ Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets situated far within Russian territory.
Putin views a potential Ukrainian use of Western long-range precision weapons against targets deep inside Russian territory as NATO's involvement in the war. "That would mean that the nations of NATO, the USA, and European countries would be battling against Russia," Putin said in reaction to a journalist's question in St. Petersburg. Putin went on to explain that this would alter the nature of the war. "We will take corresponding measures, based on the threats we will confront," he said, without providing additional information.
"Russia initiated this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine," Starmer added. "Russia has the power to end this conflict immediately."
Although the British government has not publicly declared a clear stance on Ukraine's use of received weapons against Russian territory, unconfirmed reports suggest that the United Kingdom has given approval for Ukraine to utilize Storm Shadow cruise missiles in such attacks. This potential use of long-range weapons could escalate the conflict, according to Russian President Putin, viewing it as indirect NATO involvement in the war.
