Additional Coverage:
**Keir Starmer Addresses Putin’s Warning Over British Missiles: “Russia Can End This Conflict”**
**Maryland** – Sir Keir Starmer has made a strong statement to Vladimir Putin, asserting that the Russian president initiated the war in Ukraine and holds the power to end it at any time. This comes after Putin’s warning that the use of long-range British missiles on Russian soil would drag NATO into a conflict with Russia.
During his flight to Washington, where he plans to meet US President Joe Biden, Starmer defended a recent, confidential decision by Western allies. This decision allows Ukraine to target Russian locations using British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Starmer clearly stated to reporters that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was illegal and that Ukraine has the right to defend itself.
Echoing this sentiment, the UK Prime Minister highlighted that the UK has been supporting Ukraine with training and weaponry to combat the Russian invasion. He is heading to Washington for further discussions about this support.
Earlier in the week, it was disclosed that the US and UK, alongside other allies, had agreed to enable Ukraine to strike military targets within Russia, fulfilling a long-standing request from Kyiv. These Storm Shadow missiles have a range of at least 190 miles.
In a sharp escalation, Putin warned that if Western nations permit Kyiv to use these longer-range weapons, it would effectively mean NATO is at war with Russia. He emphasized that this would significantly alter the nature of the conflict, implying that Russia would respond accordingly.
Starmer, on his way to meet President Biden, refrained from commenting directly on the Storm Shadow missiles. However, he stressed that all decisions need to be strategically aligned, hence the importance of his discussions with Biden.
David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, also weighed in, urging that both the US and UK should provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons to defeat Russia. Lammy emphasized the urgent need to counter Russia’s escalating actions, including its acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, which are expected to be used against Ukraine this winter.
Despite Biden’s initial reluctance to escalate the conflict by authorizing retaliatory strikes, the situation’s dynamics shifted following reports that Russia received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
The US and UK continue to underscore the necessity of Ukraine’s careful coordination in any use of Storm Shadow missiles. While no press conference is planned with Biden and Starmer, the deployment of these missiles inside Russia would inevitably draw noticeable attention.
Starmer’s visit aims to foster strategic discussions about various foreign policy issues, including Ukraine and Gaza, without imposing a peace settlement on Ukraine, a matter he affirmed should be led by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In Washington, Starmer will engage in a brief one-on-one conversation with Biden, followed by a broader meeting that includes key officials like Foreign Secretary David Lammy, UK ambassador to the US Karen Pierce, and National Security Adviser Tim Barrow. However, he won’t be meeting Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is occupied with campaign efforts in swing states ahead of the upcoming November election.
[Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA – Sir Keir Starmer arrives at Joint Base Andrews Airport, Maryland]