UK allows Ukraine to use British weapons inside Russia
- 4 May, 12:11
The United Kingdom has greenlighted Ukraine’s use of British weapons inside Russian territory. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron made relevant remarks during visit to Kyiv where he also said that UK would provide Ukraine with £3bn per year for as long as necessary.
"Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it's defending itself," Cameron said. Meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski in Kyiv, David Cameron reminded that it was Russia that had launched an attack into Ukraine and Ukraine "absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia".
Russia criticized David Cameron’s remarks as a dangerous escalation, expressing concerns about its impact on European security. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, interpreted David Cameron's statements as an acknowledgment of Western involvement in a "hybrid war" against Moscow. Although David Cameron did not explicitly endorse strikes within Russia, previous British policy suggested such weapons should only be deployed within Ukrainian territory. However, Cameron's recent remarks seem to underscore Ukraine's autonomy in decision-making regarding the use of military aid.
Additionally, the Kremlin denounced French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks suggesting potential Western military involvement in Ukraine, deeming them perilous. The US reportedly urged Ukraine to refrain from targeting Russian oil refineries to avoid escalating the conflict. Amidst recent Russian advances in eastern Ukraine and intelligence suggesting preparations for a summer offensive, tensions continue to rise. A Russian attack in Kharkiv resulted in civilian casualties, further intensifying the situation.
Since Russia launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the UK has provided Ukraine with substantial military assistance, including tanks, precision-guided missiles, and air-defense systems, amounting to billions of pounds.
