UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, following talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington, did not indicate a decision regarding Ukraine’s request to employ long-range missiles against targets in Russia. During the discussion, Starmer noted they had a “long and productive discussion” on various matters, including Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region.
The White House highlighted concerns regarding Iran and North Korea supplying lethal weapons to Russia. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned Western nations against permitting Ukraine to launch long-range missiles at Russia, stating that this would amount to direct NATO involvement in the conflict.
Addressing reporters before the meeting, President Biden remarked, “I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin.” So far, neither the US nor the UK has authorized Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles against Russian targets, citing fears of escalation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently urged Western allies to allow such missile strikes, asserting that it is essential for bringing a conclusion to the ongoing war. The UK has acknowledged Ukraine’s “clear right” to employ British-supplied weapons for self-defense, which may encompass operations within Russia, following Ukraine’s recent cross-border action.
Despite this, the use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles outside Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders remains excluded. Earlier this year, the US provided Ukraine with long-range missiles, but these, like other Western supplied arms, have not been authorized for use against deep Russian targets.
When questioned about Putin’s threats of a potential war with NATO, Starmer stated that “the quickest way to resolve” the situation in Ukraine lies in observing Putin’s actions. The Prime Minister described the White House meeting with Biden as an opportunity to shape overarching strategy concerning Ukraine.
Sir Keir added that they also covered issues related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and other global concerns, with upcoming discussions slated for the United Nations General Assembly.
Ahead of the leaders’ meeting, a US National Security Council spokesperson reaffirmed that there would be no change in the restrictions regarding Ukraine’s use of American-made weapons against Russian territory. In a separate development, Moscow expelled six British diplomats, citing allegations of espionage. The Russian security service claimed that the UK had participated in efforts to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia, which the UK Foreign Office dismissed as “completely baseless.”
UK defense analyst Justin Crump asserted that Putin is testing the current UK government and the Biden administration, while also engaging in espionage and subversive activities against NATO interests. Crump added that provoking an all-out conflict with NATO is not feasible for Russia, given its current struggles in Ukraine.
Additionally, the US announced new sanctions targeting the Russian media outlet RT, labeling it a “de facto arm of Russia’s intelligence apparatus.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted RT’s role in a broader network of Russian-backed media intended to undermine US democracy. In response to allegations regarding election influence, RT’s editor-in-chief defended the network, stating that many of its staff have been educated in the US. Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman called for the establishment of new professions in the US focused on understanding the sanctions imposed on Russia.
