Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Wednesday that Ukraine has the capability to utilize long-range missiles provided by the UK to target military installations within Russia during the ongoing conflict. Starmer informed journalists aboard his flight to Washington for NATO's 75th anniversary summit that the decision on the deployment of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles rests with the Ukrainian armed forces. "UK military assistance is intended for defensive purposes, but it is up to Ukraine to determine how to use it for these defensive purposes," stated Starmer, who assumed leadership of the UK last Friday after a decisive victory for his Labour party in the elections. These remarks affirm that Labour maintains the same position on air-launched missiles as the preceding Conservative administrations led by Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, and earlier Boris Johnson. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, Britain has been one of Kyiv's most steadfast allies. The UK has offered financial support, military equipment, and training to Ukraine's defense efforts. Britain was the first nation to supply longer-range weapons to the Ukrainian military, announcing in May of the previous year that it would dispatch Storm Shadow missiles. Starmer is scheduled to reiterate Britain's backing for Ukraine and its "unwavering commitment" to the Western military alliance NATO during the summit, where he is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
![UK PM Starmer Allows Ukraine to Use UK-Supplied Missiles in Russia UK PM Starmer Allows Ukraine to Use UK-Supplied Missiles in Russia](https://world-arabia.com/storage/images/news/crops/news-promo/DIUkxwFsCybgIXwIPK0UN2p9uFeG5tSulA2xne2K.webp)
Text: Lara Palmer
10.07.2024
Starmer confirms Labour's continuation of Conservative missile policy, supports Ukraine's defense