The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, emphasized that Ukraine holds the autonomy to determine the utilization of British weaponry and asserted Ukraine’s right to target locations within Russian territory. During his visit to Kyiv, he pledged £3 billion ($3.75 billion) annually in support.
Acknowledging Ukraine’s need for self-defense amid Russian strikes, Lord Cameron refrained from explicitly endorsing the use of British arms against Russian targets. However, he highlighted that previous British assistance, such as the deployment of Storm Shadow missiles, had been predominantly directed at safeguarding Ukrainian sovereignty.
In light of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to annual military aid, Lord Cameron stressed Ukraine’s prerogative in decision-making regarding its utilization. Despite US concerns about Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries potentially escalating the conflict, Lord Cameron’s stance underscores the importance of the Ukrainian agency.
Meanwhile, Russian criticism targeted French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on potential Western military involvement, denouncing them as perilous. Amid Russian advancements in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian intelligence anticipates a forthcoming summer offensive in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported civilian casualties in Kharkiv due to recent Russian attacks, indicating escalating tensions in the region.
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.
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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 Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, said it was Russia that had launched an attack on 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.
The UK has provided billions of pounds in military support for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, ranging from tanks and precision-guided missiles to air-defense systems.
A year ago, the UK confirmed it had begun supplying long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles with a range of more than 250km (155 miles).
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he had appealed to Lord Cameron to help restore the country’s energy infrastructure, which repeated Russian missile strikes have badly damaged.
