The United Kingdom has reportedly made a decision to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets in Russian territory, according to multiple sources citing British government officials. This significant development, however, is not expected to be publicly announced, likely to avoid unnecessary provocation. The decision is considered so sensitive that it reportedly played a key role in facilitating the recent joint visit to Kyiv by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.Concurrently, the United States is considering similar permissions for its ATACMS missiles, with Blinken hinting at potential policy adaptations. During their visit to Kyiv, both Blinken and Lammy reaffirmed their countries’ unwavering support for Ukraine. The UK has pledged an additional £600 million (approximately $780 million) in military aid, while the US announced $717 million in new assistance.The potential relaxation of restrictions on long-range strikes has raised concerns from Russia. Kremlin officials have warned of an ‘appropriate’ response if such permissions are granted. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the debate over the possibility of Ukraine using Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep into Russian territory as ‘playing with fire’.Despite these developments, both US and UK officials have been cautious in their public statements. Blinken stated that he would ‘take that discussion back to Washington to brief the president’, while Lammy emphasized the need to avoid giving any advantage to Russia through public disclosures.The decision to potentially allow long-range strikes into Russian territory marks a significant shift in Western support for Ukraine, with far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict and international relations. As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, aware of the delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding further escalation of the conflict.
Key points
- The UK has privately decided to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets.
- The US is considering similar permissions for ATACMS missiles.
- Both the UK and US have pledged significant new aid packages to Ukraine.
- Russia has warned of an ‘appropriate’ response to any long-range strike capabilities given to Ukraine.
Contradictions👾While most sources indicate the UK’s decision has been made privately, some reports suggest it might be announced during an upcoming meeting between UK PM Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden.
👾There are varying accounts of the exact timing and nature of any potential announcement regarding the use of long-range missiles.
