The head of the British defence ministry has spoken out against any assistance to Ukraine from London in hitting targets in Russia. The Guardian reports that John Healey said that British weapons are provided to Ukraine for defence and this does not prevent them being used on targets in Russia, but only without British involvement.
Britain will not help Ukraine hit targets in Russia, The Guardian reports, citing a statement by the country’s defence minister. He made this statement shortly before Zelenskyy appealed directly to the Cabinet to use British-made weapons more freely.
John Healey did not rule out granting the Ukrainian president’s request to use British-made missiles against Russian territory, but added that Britain would not be involved in any such attacks.
“We provide weapons to Ukraine to defend its sovereign country. And that doesn’t prevent them from striking targets in Russia, but it should be done by Ukrainians. It should be done within the framework of international humanitarian law,” he said in an interview with a British radio station.
The Guardian recalls that new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously said that Ukraine would be able to use Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia, but only for “defensive” purposes. The prime minister said last week, “These are defensive missiles, but it is up to Ukraine to decide how to use them for those defensive purposes.”
On Friday, Zelenskyy called on the cabinet to use Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. He also urged ministers to help build Europe’s defence industrial base as leaders around the world adjust to the possibility of a second, more isolationist Trump administration coming to power.
Downing Street said afterwards that British ministers “reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine on all fronts, from military and financial support to ensuring that Ukrainians living here are supported and feel the UK’s key message that we are all united around them”.