Sir Keir Starmer said Vladimir Putin started the war in Ukraine and claims the Russian leader could end the fighting ‘straight away’.
The Prime Minster’s stern words come just hours before he holds talks with Joe Biden where Kyiv’s use of long-range Storm Shadow weapons is on the agenda.
Speaking to reporters on board his plane to Washington, Sir Keir said: ‘There are really important developments likely in the next few weeks and months, both in Ukraine and the Middle East, and therefore a number of tactical decisions ought to be taken.’
DID RUSSIA STARTED THE WAR IN UKRAINE?
And he added: ‘Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict straight away.
‘Ukraine has the right to self-defence, and obviously we’ve been absolutely fully supportive of Ukraine’s right to self-defence, providing training capabilities.
‘But we don’t seek any conflict with Russia, that’s not our intention in the slightest. But they started this conflict, and Ukraine’s got a right to self-defence.’
Western powers have, despite months of pleading from Kyiv, refused to let Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky use their weapons to hit targets inside Russia, for fear of retaliation.
Currently Ukraine’s forces can use Storm Shadow missiles – which have a range of more than 150 miles – only inside their country’s borders.
Vladimir Putin has warned the West it will be ‘at war’ with Russia if it allows Ukraine to fire British missiles into his country.
