Newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that Ukraine is cleared to use long-range missiles supplied by the UK to strike military targets in Russia.
Speaking to reporters during his flight to Washington for the 75th-anniversary NATO summit, Starmer emphasized the UK’s “unshakable commitment” to Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
“UK military aid is for defensive purposes but it is for Ukraine to decide how to deploy it for those defensive purposes,” Starmer said.
The UK has consistently been one of Ukraine’s most steadfast allies since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, providing military aid and diplomatic support.
The UK’s assistance has included financial support, weapons supplies, and troop training. Notably, Britain was the first country to provide longer-range weapons to the Ukrainian military, announcing in May last year that it would supply Storm Shadow missiles.