UK permits Ukraine to use British weapons for strikes in Russia – Cameron
Photo: ANADOLU AGENCY
On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron committed to providing Ukraine with three billion pounds ($3.74 billion) in yearly military support, stating that it would be "as long as it takes." He also clarified that London has no objections to utilizing weapons within Russian borders.
Cameron said this in an interview with Reuters.
Cameron also noted that Ukraine has the right to use weapons provided by London to strike targets on Russian territory and that it is up to Kyiv to decide whether to do so.
"Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can totally understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it defends itself.
We will give three billion pounds every year for as long as it takes. We have exhausted everything we could do to provide equipment.
Some of this (equipment) is actually arriving in Ukraine today while I'm here," he emphasized.
Cameron, who led Britain in 2010 and 2016 as prime minister and only returned to politics a few months ago, met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and President Volodymyr Zelensky during his second visit to Kyiv as foreign minister.
Britain's top diplomat has welcomed the allocation by the US Congress of a long-awaited aid package in the amount of 60 billion dollars:
"It's extremely significant not just for the weapons it will provide but also for the morale it will boost among the people here in Ukraine."
However, Cameron did not directly answer the question of how, in his opinion, the possible re-election of Republican leader Donald Trump to the White House could affect US support for Ukraine:
"It is not up to us to decide who the Americans will elect as their president – we will work with whoever it will be," adding that the strategy of Ukraine's allies should be to ensure that Ukraine has an advantage by the time of the US elections in November.
Кемерон: Британія не допомагатиме Україні збивати дрони, як над Ізраїлем, бо це може призвести до ескалації
For reference:
The day before, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Kyiv with David Cameron, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Photo: Office of the President
The head of state thanked the British government for the announcement last week of the largest package of defense support, worth half a billion pounds.
"The provision of this package, together with the overwhelming decision of the US on aid, is of great importance for us at this key moment," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The President updated his counterpart on the front situation and stressed the urgency of receiving the weapons included in the aid package—specifically, armored vehicles, ammunition, and various missiles.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to preparation for important international events that will take place soon, including:
- the "Group of Seven" summit in Italy,
- the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland,
- the NATO summit in Washington,
- of the fourth summit of the European Political Community in Great Britain.
The visit was not publicly reported, as were Cameron's meetings with Kuleba and Zelensky.
It should be noted that Great Britain will invest an additional 10 billion pounds in the next ten years to develop ammunition production and increase stocks.
It was also reported that Great Britain will include Paveway IV laser-guided aerial bombs in the following package of military aid to Ukraine.
