Keir Starmer Authorises Use of British Missiles for Strikes on Russian Territory
In a significant shift from the previous Conservative government’s stance, Sir Keir Starmer, the newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has granted permission for British-supplied missiles to be employed in defensive strikes against targets within Russian territory. This momentous decision was unveiled during Sir Keir’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Washington DC on Wednesday.
The announcement, which has been warmly received by Ukraine, marks a notable departure from the more cautious approach adopted by the former Tory administration. The missiles in question are the highly advanced Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which possess a range of over 250 kilometres and are capable of striking targets deep behind enemy lines.
John Healey, the newly appointed Defence Secretary, addressed the matter whilst speaking to Sky News. Whilst refraining from delving into specific “operational arrangements”, Mr Healey emphasised the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. He stated, “We will do all we can to help Ukraine in their fight to repel Putin’s invasion.” This resolute stance underscores the Labour government’s determination to stand firmly alongside Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
During his address in Washington, Mr Healey further elucidated the UK’s position, stating, “We provide weapons equipment where we can for them to defend themselves, and as we do for ourselves and any other nation in conflict, we require, because it’s international law, that war is conducted within those rules of the Geneva Convention.” This statement serves to reassure both domestic and international observers that the UK’s support for Ukraine remains firmly within the bounds of international law and established rules of engagement.
Prime Minister Starmer, speaking on the matter, emphasised that the military aid would be utilised “in accordance with international humanitarian law”. He further clarified, “It is for defensive purposes, but it is for Ukraine to decide how to deploy it for those defensive purposes. I don’t mean to get into a discussion here, as you would imagine, all targeting that would be inappropriate, but that is the position.” This stance affords Ukraine a degree of autonomy in its defensive strategy whilst maintaining the UK’s commitment to ethical warfare.
The Ukrainian President took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his gratitude following the meeting with Sir Keir. President Zelenskyy wrote, “This morning, I learned about the permission to use Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russian territory. Today we had the opportunity to discuss the practical implementation of this decision. I’m grateful to the UK for its unwavering support for Ukraine and our people.” This message not only confirms the decision but also highlights the strong diplomatic ties between the UK and Ukraine.
However, the announcement has predictably drawn criticism from Moscow. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, responded to the news with a stern warning. Speaking to Reuters, Peskov stated, “If this is so then, of course, this is another absolutely irresponsible step towards escalating tensions and seriously escalating the situation.” He added ominously, “We will be watching this very thoroughly and respond accordingly.” This reaction underscores the potential for increased tensions between Russia and the West as a result of this decision.
The NATO Summit: A Multilayered Gathering
The announcement regarding the Storm Shadow missiles formed just one facet of a multifaceted NATO summit. The gathering, which brings together leaders from the alliance’s 32 member states, is set to conclude on Thursday and marks the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
In a comprehensive declaration, NATO members reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s future within the alliance. The carefully worded statement asserted, “We fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from outside interference. Ukraine’s future is in NATO.” This unequivocal support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations is likely to further aggravate Moscow, which has long opposed the expansion of the alliance eastward.
The declaration continued, “As Ukraine continues this vital work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. We reaffirm that we will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met.” This statement strikes a delicate balance between reassuring Ukraine of NATO’s commitment whilst acknowledging the complexities involved in the membership process.
UK’s Role in NATO and Support for Ukraine
Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the UK’s ambition to be “the leading European nation in NATO” and stressed the importance of taking a leading role in supporting Ukraine. In a rare display of cross-party continuity regarding weapons supply to Ukraine, Mr Healey remarked, “The Sunak pledge comes with the Starmer guarantee of delivery.” This statement underscores the bipartisan nature of the UK’s support for Ukraine, transcending changes in government.
When questioned about the possibility of a second Donald Trump presidency in the United States, Mr Healey offered a carefully measured response. He acknowledged the potential shift in American priorities, stating, “Whoever is elected to the White House, we have to recognise that the American priorities are likely to shift increasingly to the Indo-Pacific and to other parts of the globe.” He went on to explain the implications of this shift, saying, “The consequences of that are the European nations in NATO must do more of the heavy lifting and some of the leadership that traditionally we’ve been able to look to the Americans to do.”
This assessment aligns with private discussions among Washington-based European diplomats, who speak more candidly about the potential impact of a Trump return to the White House. These sources suggest that the existing gradual rebalancing of power within NATO could transform into a more dramatic shift away from US dominance of the alliance should Trump secure a second term.
Concerns Over US Leadership
The NATO summit has been overshadowed by growing concerns regarding US President Joe Biden’s agility and perceived cognitive decline. These concerns were further amplified by a call from George Clooney, a friend and significant donor to Biden, for the president to step aside as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming election.
In response to these mounting pressures, Senate Democrats are scheduled to have lunch with top Biden advisers Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti, as well as the Biden-Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. This meeting comes just hours before President Biden is set to give a rare news conference to conclude the NATO summit, which will undoubtedly serve as a crucial test of his capabilities.
Despite these concerns, President Biden appeared composed during his meeting with Prime Minister Starmer in the Oval Office. While the president looked tired, he managed to avoid any notable gaffes or missteps during the encounter. This meeting occurred midway through Sir Keir’s visit to Washington, which UK diplomatic sources have described as a resounding success.
The timing of the NATO summit has proven fortuitous for the new British administration, allowing the three top ministers to meet with many of their respective counterparts in one location during their first week in office. Sir Keir, accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey, made frequent appearances as a trio and visited Capitol Hill, where they met with leaders from both sides of the political divide.
In conclusion, the decision to allow the use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russian territory marks a significant shift in UK foreign policy. This move, coupled with the strong show of support for Ukraine at the NATO summit, demonstrates the new Labour government’s commitment to standing firm against Russian aggression. However, it also raises questions about the potential for escalation in the ongoing conflict and the changing dynamics within the NATO alliance. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community will be closely watching the repercussions of this bold stance by the UK and its NATO allies.