Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, has stated that Ukraine has the autonomy to determine how to utilize British weapons, including the option to launch strikes on Russian soil. This declaration underscores the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s defense.
Lord Cameron’s visit to Kyiv was marked by a major announcement: the UK will provide £3bn ($3.75bn) in annual military aid to Ukraine, with no specified end date, underscoring the UK’s dedication to supporting Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty.
“Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it’s defending itself,” Lord Cameron said.
Moscow swiftly denounced the UK’s move, labeling it “another very dangerous statement” – a stark warning that Russia will not take this escalation lying down, and may retaliate with force.
“This is a direct escalation of tension around the Ukrainian conflict, which would potentially pose a threat to European security,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Behind-the-scenes, the US is urging Ukraine to hold its fire on Russian oil refineries, fearing that further strikes could spark a devastating escalation in the conflict and send shockwaves through the global energy market.
Peskov fired back at Macron’s statement that the West might consider sending ground troops to Ukraine if Russia gains the upper hand, dismissing the idea as a thinly veiled threat that only serves to escalate tensions and undermine diplomatic efforts.
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Mr Macron’s remarks to The Economist were a “very dangerous trend”, said the Kremlin spokesman. However, the French leader made clear in his interview that if Russia won in Ukraine, there would be no security in Europe.
Russian forces have seized several villages in eastern Ukraine during recent advances, taking advantage of Ukraine’s shortages of weapons and manpower.
Ukrainian intelligence officials also believe Russia is gearing up for a summer offensive in the north-eastern regions of Kharkiv and Sumy.
The commander of the national guard, Oleksandr Pivnenko, warned recently that Russia was preparing “unpleasant surprises” and quietly recruiting 30,000 people a month.
A Russian strike on Kharkiv on Friday killed an elderly woman in her home, and a tram carrying passengers also came under fire, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Ukraine’s military says Russia’s immediate target is the strategic hilltop town of Chasiv Yar, 15km (9 miles) west of the devastated city of Bakhmut.
Officials believe the eastern town could enable Russian forces to attack major eastern cities such as Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. The military has suggested Moscow is keen to seize Chasiv Yar before Russians mark victory in World War Two on 9 May.
However, a Ukrainian military spokesman has denied that Russian troops have broken through to the Siverskyi Donetsk-Donbas canal on the outskirts of the town.
Russia claimed on Friday that its forces had captured three villages in Ukraine’s east in the past two weeks. Military spokesman Lt Col Nazar Voloshyn said the invading force had gained a foothold in the village of Ocheretyne but Ukrainian soldiers were working to drive them out.
Lord Cameron, who met President Volodymr Zelensky in Kyiv, said it was Russia that had launched an attack into Ukraine and Ukraine “absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia”.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said his remarks were tantamount to admitting the West was involved in a “hybrid war” against Moscow.