The foreign secretary has argued that NATO countries need to step up aid for Ukraine
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged NATO members to provide stronger support for Ukraine, suggesting they should ease restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons for strikes deep inside Russia.
Ukraine has received Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles from the UK and US, but is only permitted to use them on territories it claims as its own, such as Crimea and Donbass. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been pressing for permission to use the missiles for long-range attacks on internationally recognized Russian territory. Moscow has warned that such an action would make NATO countries direct participants in the conflict and has vowed to retaliate.
Earlier this month, Lammy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to the US for a “wide-ranging discussion about strategy” with President Joe Biden, but they failed to reach an agreement.
While the UK advocates for lifting restrictions on how Ukraine can use Western weapons, Washington has so far hesitated to make a decision – citing the need for Kiev to explicitly state its combat objectives.
Speaking at a fringe event during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Sunday, Lammy acknowledged there is “a very real-time discussion across allies” on how to enhance support for Kiev in its conflict with Russia.
“This is a critical time for nerve and guts and patience and for fortitude on behalf of allies who stand with Ukraine,” he said, seemingly referring to Biden’s reluctance.
During the main conference later in the day, he reiterated Britain’s unwavering support for Kiev, stating the UK government has committed to providing £3 billion ($3.99 billion) in military aid per year “for as long as it takes.”
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine would not be able to operate long-range systems without intelligence from NATO satellites and the involvement of “NATO military personnel,” and that such a development would fundamentally alter the nature of the conflict. He added that Moscow would “make appropriate decisions based on the threats facing us.”