July 19, 2024
Ukraine’s Zelensky asks UK to allow weapons to be used for attacks inside Russia
Addressing a British cabinet meeting, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Britain’s new government to allow Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russia to stop deadly missile attacks on his country.
Zelensky told Prime Minister Keir Starmer “I ask you to show your leadership” in lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to attack inside Russia.
The key to Ukraine’s security, Zelenskyy said, is a “long-range capability” to destroy Russian weapons depots.
Zelenskyy was hailed by senior ministers as the first foreign leader to address the British Cabinet in person since 1997.
Russia has recently launched massive missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, killing dozens and hitting targets including a children’s hospital in Kiev.
But some of Kiev’s allies are reluctant to allow Ukraine to use their weapons to attack Russian territory because of concerns that the West could be drawn into direct conflict with Russia.
The UK government has refrained from openly supporting such a move, saying Kyiv must decide how to use its resources until international law is confirmed.
Meanwhile, Starmer said Britain would “double down” on support for Ukraine, including a deal to help both countries boost military production. The UK is to offer Ukraine 3.5 billion pounds ($4.15 or $4.5 billion) in export financing to buy new weapons.
dh/rm (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)
