Amidst escalating tensions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delivered a stark message to Russia: end the war in Ukraine or face the consequences. Starmer, en route to Washington for a meeting with President Joe Biden, asserted that Russia bears sole responsibility for the conflict, having initiated it with an illegal invasion of Ukraine. He stressed that Russia has the power to end the war immediately and that Ukraine has the right to defend itself.
His comments come directly in response to a threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin had warned that the use of Western long-range missiles in Russia would constitute an act of war against NATO, escalating the conflict to a whole new level. Starmer, however, remained resolute, reiterating that the West would continue providing military assistance to Ukraine, including the recently supplied Storm Shadow missiles.
The Storm Shadow missile, with its range of at least 190 miles, has been a long-standing request from Ukraine. Its deployment within Russian territory has been a controversial move, but Starmer insists that the West’s actions are entirely justified. He emphasized that the UK and its allies have a responsibility to provide the necessary training and capabilities to Ukraine. He further explained that his visit to Washington is partly aimed at discussing future military support for Ukraine.
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, echoed Starmer’s sentiment, arguing that both the US and UK must provide Ukraine with the tools it needs to defeat Russia. Lammy stressed the urgency of the situation, highlighting the looming threat of a Russian winter offensive and the potential for further escalation with Iran’s involvement.
Both London and Washington have emphasized the need for careful coordination in the use of Storm Shadow missiles as part of a wider strategy aimed at forcing Russia to end the conflict. However, Starmer made it clear that the purpose of his trip is not to impose a peace agreement on Ukraine. Instead, he stressed that the ultimate decision lies with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Starmer’s visit to Washington will include a one-on-one meeting with President Biden and a delegation-level discussion. Notably, he will not meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris, who will be attending campaign events in swing states ahead of the upcoming US presidential election.
