Downing Street said Britain had not lifted restrictions on the use of long-range missiles against Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit.
Ukraine's president met with Keir Starmer at No. 10 on Thursday and reiterated his call for Storm Shadow missiles and other Western-supplied weapons to be launched deep into Russian territory.
President Zelensky gave Western countries, including Britain, the go-ahead to launch weapons with a maximum range of about 250 kilometers (155 miles) into Russian military facilities in Kiev, which are being used to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. I have repeatedly asked them to give it to me.
The US and UK appeared prepared to respond to Kiev's request last month ahead of Prime Minister Starmer's visit to Washington DC, where he met with US President Joe Biden. However, the position remained unchanged following the meeting between Mr Starmer and Mr Biden, with Downing Street indicating on Thursday that there were no further plans.
“No war has been won with a single weapon and there is no change to the government's policy regarding the use of long-range missiles,” the Prime Minister's spokesperson told reporters. They indicated that ministers were considering other ways to support Ukraine. “These discussions do not focus on a single piece of equipment, but consider strategic support to Ukraine,” they said. “It would be a gift to President Putin if we could learn more about operational issues.”
Zelenskiy and Starmer met with NATO's new Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Prime Minister Rutte told reporters that it was up to each government to “determine how to use the weapons brought into Ukraine,” stressing that “no one weapon system will bring about change.” did.
He confirmed that the use of long-range missiles was discussed on Thursday. Asked if he sympathized with Ukraine's complaints that it had to fight with its hands tied behind its back, Prime Minister Rutte replied: “Yes. You currently provide military aid and training to Ukraine for £3 billion a year.
“The whole alliance is working on this. Let's stop focusing on one system, one weapon system. It's not one weapon system that will make a difference.”
Rutte added that there is no legal reason to prevent the use of Western-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia.
Ukrainian officials have argued for months that the weapons are essential to weakening Russia's ability to attack Ukraine and moving it away from its borders. However, NATO members led by the United States are concerned about the possibility of direct confrontation with Russia.
During Thursday's meeting, President Zelenskiy presented Mr Starmer with a “winning plan” for the war. Mr. Biden was scheduled to present a report to Western leaders in Germany this week, but the summit was postponed after Mr. Biden withdrew to manage the domestic response to Hurricane Milton.
President Zelenskiy said after the meeting that his victory plan “aims at creating the right conditions for a just end to the war.”
Organizers of the summit in Germany have promised to reschedule it, but it is unclear whether it will be held before the US presidential election in November. If Donald Trump, who is skeptical of military aid, wins, the US government could withdraw aid from Kiev.
Rutte said he was not concerned about Trump's possible return to the White House. He said, “I'm not worried about that because I'm absolutely convinced that the United States is involved in this.'' “Because we understand that it's also for all of Ukraine, from Washington to San Francisco.” If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, the United States will become less secure. ”
Mr Zelenskiy visited Mr Starmer in Downing Street days after his July election victory. During this trip, the Ukrainian president became the first foreign leader to address the Cabinet since Bill Clinton in 1997.
During a joint appearance with Rutte in Kiev last week, Zelensky said Western governments were “postponing” deliveries of long-range weapons. “We need weapons of sufficient quantity and quality, including long-range weapons, but in my opinion our partner countries are already procrastinating,” Zelenskiy said.
