Ukraine ‘has the right’ to use British weapons inside Russia, Cameron says

Ukraine has the right to use weapons supplied by the UK in attacks against Russian territory, Lord Cameron has said, in what appears to be a shift in policy.

The Foreign Secretary said it was down to Ukraine how it used weapons supplied by Britain. He was speaking during a trip to Kyiv on Thursday, when he announced that the UK would give £3 billion a year to Ukraine “for as long as is necessary”.

Asked whether Ukraine could use British weapons to hit Russian territory, he told Reuters: “Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it’s defending itself.”

He added: “They’re defending their country, they were illegally invaded by Putin, they must take those steps. We don’t discuss any caveats that we put on those things. But let’s be absolutely clear, Russia has launched an attack into Ukraine, and Ukraine absolutely has the right to strike back against Russia.”

The comments were a surprise, following concerns over escalation expressed by countries including Germany and the US over the possibility Ukraine could use their weapons to strike Russia.

Germany has continued to refuse to send long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, while the US had previously refused to send its long-range ATACMS missiles systems over fears they could be used to strike Russia. However, the US confirmed it had already sent the weapons to Ukraine earlier this year.

i has asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment on Lord Cameron’s statement.

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Ukraine made a fresh appeal for weapons and ammunition to be sent to the front line this week, as rumours surfaced that Russia was planning to “take something” in time for Victory Day on 9 May.

Lord Cameron’s comments prompted outrage in Russia, with Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, calling them “dangerous”.

“This is a direct escalation of tension around the Ukrainian conflict, which could potentially pose a danger to European security, to the entire European security architecture,” he said.

“This is where we see such a dangerous trend of escalating tension in official statements. This is a cause for our concern.”

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, added: “This is the first time that a Western politician has so frankly acknowledged what has long been a well-known secret for a majority of the world’s countries: That the West is waging a covert war against Russia with the hands of Ukrainians.”

She said Russia would respond if Ukraine launched strikes against Russian territory with British weapons.

“How irresponsible and callous do you have to be not to realise what such statements lead to, especially with regard to countries with nuclear weapons,” Ms Zakharova told a briefing.

“We always respond, but how can you not think about the feelings of British subjects and EU citizens.”

Russia recently stepped up its assault on the key city of Chasiv Yar, pounding the strategic fortress with glide bombs, artillery, and armoured vehicles.

Analysts say that suggests Russia could mount a full-scale attack soon. Chasiv Yar’s population has dwindled from 12,000 to just 700 as homes, offices and municipal buildings have been destroyed in the onslaught.