Zelensky urges UK Starmer to advocate for long-range strike capabilities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a historic speech to the British Cabinet on Friday, urging the UK to help lift restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons. The rare appearance by a foreign leader at a British Cabinet meeting underscores the UK’s continued support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelensky to a standing ovation, reaffirming London’s commitment to Kiev. The last foreign leader to address the British cabinet in person was US President Bill Clinton in 1997. Starmer stressed the importance of Ukraine to his government’s agenda and pledged to accelerate the delivery of military aid promised by the former Conservative government.

Zelensky’s visit to Downing Street followed a European leaders’ forum at Blenheim Palace hosted by Starmer. During his speech, Zelensky reiterated his call for Western allies to allow long-range strikes on Russia, highlighting the limitations currently placed on Ukraine’s military capabilities.

“Right now we lack the most important answer to this question and that is our long-range capacity,” Zelensky said. “Convince the other partners to remove the restrictions.”

NATO allies have differing views on how Ukraine may use donated weapons. While some members have allowed Ukraine to target Russian territory, the United States has maintained a more conservative approach, allowing strikes only within Ukraine’s borders against targets supporting Russian military operations.

In a 35-minute private meeting with Zelensky ahead of the wider cabinet session, Starmer assured the Ukrainian leader of the UK’s unwavering support. Defence Secretary John Healey echoed this sentiment, saying that the UK’s supply of weapons would not prevent Ukraine from striking targets in Russia, provided it complies with international humanitarian law.

Zelensky expressed gratitude for the UK’s support and acknowledged its crucial role in the ongoing conflict. “The political determination to support Ukraine was not only in parliament, but in the whole country,” Starmer told Zelensky, adding that he had accepted an invitation to visit Ukraine in the future.

In a significant move, Zelensky signed a Defence Export Support Treaty with the UK, giving Ukraine access to £3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) in export financing. The deal is aimed at strengthening both countries’ defence industrial bases and improving their military production capabilities.

The meeting came at a time when Ukraine is facing serious challenges from Russian aggression. Earlier this month, a children’s hospital in Kiev was hit by Russian missiles, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced defensive measures. Zelensky stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin must be held accountable for his actions.

“Putin must pay for his contempt for human life,” Zelensky said. “How can we ensure this? At the moment, we lack the most important answer to this question – that is our long-range capacity. Show your leadership in this and convince other partners to remove the restrictions. We need this step – which will force Russia to seek peace.”

The UK has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Starmer, who won a landslide election victory earlier this month, has been quick to reaffirm the UK’s support for Ukraine and ensure there will be no change in approach despite the change of government.

On Thursday, the United Kingdom announced sanctions on 11 ships carrying Russian oil, as part of a broader strategy to disrupt Russian attempts to evade shipping sanctions. The move comes in line with the European Political Community’s agreement to crack down on Russia’s “shadow fleet” – a network of 600 sanctions-evading tankers that may be carrying weapons or acting as listening stations for Russia.

© 2024 Business Times All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.