This statement reaffirms the UK's support for Ukraine, continuing the policy of the previous government.
Key Points from Prime Minister Starmer's Statement:
- Missile Use Compliance: Starmer emphasized that the missiles should be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.
- Ukraine's Decision: It is up to Ukraine to decide how to deploy these missiles for defense purposes.
- Storm Shadow Missiles: These are high-precision cruise missiles with a range exceeding 250 kilometers, capable of hitting strategic targets within Russia.
NATO Summit Discussions:
- Support for Ukraine: The UK and some other European countries support Ukraine's need to strike military targets inside Russia to defend itself.
- US Stance: The Biden administration has been more cautious, resisting the lifting of restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made weapons on Russian territory to avoid escalation with Moscow.
Context of the Announcement:
- NATO Summit: The statement was made during the NATO summit in Washington, held from July 9 to July 11.
- Russia's Attack on Okhmatdyt Hospital: Starmer condemned the recent Russian attack on the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, calling it a "stunning and horrific attack" and highlighting it as a tragic backdrop to the summit.
Prime Minister's Message to Russia:
"My message to President Putin is this: this NATO summit should be seen as a clear and united determination by NATO Allies and others present there at the same time to support Ukraine and resist Russian aggression," Starmer stated.
This position reinforces the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression.
