Britain will not help Ukraine strike targets in Russia — The Guardian

The head of the British defense department has expressed opposition to any assistance from London to Ukraine in targeting Russian territory.

The Guardian reports this.

John Healey stated that British weapons are provided to Ukraine for defensive purposes, and while this does not prevent their use against targets in Russia, it must be done without British involvement.

Britain will not assist Ukraine in targeting Russian territory, according to a statement from the British defense minister. He made this statement shortly before Zelensky’s direct appeal to the cabinet for more freedom in using British-made weapons.

John Healey did not rule out the possibility of granting the Ukrainian president’s request to use British-made missiles against Russian territory but emphasized that Britain would not participate in any such attacks.

“We provide weapons to Ukraine for the defense of its sovereign country. And this does not preclude them from striking targets in Russia, but this must be done by the Ukrainians. It must be done within the framework of international humanitarian law,” he said in an interview with a British radio station.

The Guardian reminds that the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously stated that Ukraine could use Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia, but only for “defensive” purposes. The Prime Minister said last week, “These are defensive missiles, but it is up to Ukraine to decide how to use them for these defensive purposes.”

On Friday, Zelensky appealed to the cabinet to use Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. He also called on ministers to help create a European defense industrial base, as world leaders adjust to the possibility of a second, more isolationist Trump administration coming to power.

Following this, Downing Street stated that British ministers “reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine on all fronts—from military and financial support to ensuring that Ukrainians living here receive support and feel the main message from Britain that we are all united around them.”