UK will not go it alone by allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles on targets in Russia, report claims after Putin warned approval would lead to ‘war’ with US and NATO

Britain will not “go it alone” and allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia without US support, The Times reports.

Five former defence ministers and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson have called on Britain to allow the use of Storm Shadow missiles without US support.

And Ukrainian President Zelensky has called on the UK and US to overcome their “fear” and act “decisively” as momentum in Kursk and Belgorod wanes.

But the British action is still tied to US guidance systems, which are seen as crucial to ensuring the missiles hit their targets, The Times said. reports.

The UK nevertheless expects the US to back support for Ukraine and a decision to be made next week. The foreign secretary stressed over the weekend that Putin’s threats of nuclear war against the US and NATO would not constitute a deterrent.

“It is important that as allies supporting Ukraine we have a shared strategy to win in the future,” Lammy told BBC1’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday.

“We have discussed this with the United States and other key allies, but of course we are going to the UN General Assembly, where we will all meet in just under 12 days.”

Despite opposition within the United States, the US is expected to support the plan at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

Keir Starmer and Joe Biden met in the Blue Room of the White House on Friday to discuss the strategy for ending the war in Ukraine, including whether to hand over the Storm Shadow missiles to Zelensky.

To the disappointment of both sides, John Kirby, spokesman for the US National Security Council, announced afterwards that there would be “no change in our policy” on allowing Ukraine to deploy long-range missiles.

Vladimir Putin also warned that the West would go to war with Moscow if this were to change, leaving many of its air bases and logistical hubs vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks if the restrictions were lifted.

According to US sources, Biden has not yet made a final decision.

Despite threats from Vladimir Putin that using the weapons would amount to direct action by the UK against Russia, former defence officials and a former prime minister have called on the government to go ahead with the plan.

Boris Johnson urged Sir Keir Starmer to break the impasse, warning that every day of delay costs lives.

Speaking after visiting war victims in Kiev, Mr Johnson said: “It is heartbreaking to visit wounded veterans in recovery centres – as I did this weekend in Kiev – where Ukrainian heroes are being treated for the injuries they sustained in recent months, and to think that some of these casualties could have been prevented if we had authorised Storm Shadow earlier.

“There is no conceivable reason for delay. The only person who fears escalation is Vladimir Putin, and every day that passes is a missed opportunity to save lives and bring a just end to this war.”

In his most outspoken comment on the conflict, Zelensky questioned whether Western politicians actually wanted Ukraine to win.

He posted on X on Friday: ‘It’s hard to hear repeatedly, “We’re working on this” while Putin continues to burn down our cities and towns. He doesn’t need anyone’s approval.

“Anyone who looks at a map clearly understands why Ukraine needs long-range capabilities. Russian logistics and military locations are safe because we cannot reach them.

“We know where they are. All of this can be destroyed in months. So what is missing to end it? Strength? Decisions? Or will?”

Under the Tories, Lord Cameron, then Foreign Secretary, said it was up to Ukraine to decide how its missiles would be used.

In May, he said: ‘What the Ukrainians are doing, we believe, is their decision on how to use these weapons. They are defending their country, Putin has invaded them illegally and they have to take these steps.

“We don’t discuss any caveats that we put on those things. But let’s be absolutely clear, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine and Ukraine has absolutely the right to strike back at Russia.”

French President Emmanuel Macron even considered sending French troops to Ukraine to help defend the country if necessary.

Shortly afterwards, Russia reopened the counteroffensive in Kharkov.

According to the Telegraph, the attack was the biggest Russian victory in 17 months, capturing 250 square kilometres.

Russian troops got within ten kilometers before Ukraine stabilized the situation.

The sudden invasion prompted the US to abandon restrictions it had imposed to use its supplied weapons only against Russian targets in Ukraine.

“The hallmark of our engagement is that we adapt and pivot as needed, to meet the realities on the battlefield, to ensure that Ukraine gets what it needs, when it needs it,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the time.

So far, the US has only allowed Kiev to use US-supplied weapons in a limited area within Russia’s border with Ukraine.

Shortly after, Ukrainian attacks with foreign missiles across the border followed, angering Putin and his cronies and threatening nuclear annihilation against Western countries that support Ukraine.

In early August, Ukraine was able to launch an offensive against Russia and capture dozens of villages in Kursk and Belgorod Oblasts.

But momentum has waned in recent days as Russia mobilizes to stop the attack.