There are growing calls for Sir Keir Starmer to grant Ukraine’s request to fire Storm Shadow missiles towards Russia.
Former Conservative MP Bob Seely, who has been sanctioned by Russia for his criticism of Vladimir Putin, urged Labour to give the go-ahead.
Last week, Sir Keir rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to fire Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory.
Mr Zelensky had urged the Prime Minister to “show his leadership” by removing limits on how long-range missiles can be used when he addressed the Cabinet on Friday.
The UK and other allies are understood to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles defensively at targets on Russian soil near the border, but not offensively or deep inside Russian territory.
There are growing calls for Sir Keir Starmer to grant Ukraine’s request to fire Storm Shadow missiles at Russia. Pictured: Starmer and Zelensky shake hands during a meeting at 10 Downing Street on July 19
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting via video conference on July 19
Former Conservative MP Bob Seely (pictured), who has been sanctioned by Russia for his criticism of Vladimir Putin, urged Labour to give the go-ahead.
Mr Seely, a former soldier, said yesterday: “I don’t really know the difference between offensive and defensive targets.
“It’s rubbish language: either you fire missiles into a country or you don’t,” he told the Mail.
“Nobody is talking about Ukraine invading Russia, so this manipulation of language means nothing. Ukraine is attacking justified targets.”
Mr. Seely also said the government should authorize the use of missiles against bases involved in Russian drone strikes.
He said: “If there is a military location that is being used to wage war in Ukraine, that is a viable target.”
Meanwhile, former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: “Let us not tie Ukraine’s hands with caveats imposed on British, French and American long-range cruise missile systems that could be instrumental in crippling the Russian war effort in Ukraine.”
Ellwood said it was important that missiles were used responsibly against legitimate targets, but added: “For too long we have been frightened by Putin’s threatening rhetoric.”
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood (pictured) said: “Let’s not tie Ukraine’s hands with warnings about British, French and American long-range cruise missile systems that could be instrumental in crippling the Russian war effort in Ukraine.”
Zelensky on Friday became the first foreign leader to attend a British Cabinet meeting in person since 1997.
“Like all dictators, he respects strength and exploits weakness. It is time to revive our Cold War statecraft and stand firmly behind Ukraine.”
This came after former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in his Daily Mail column on Saturday: “For the past two years we have continually wished the Ukrainians the end – victory – without wishing them the means.”
Last Friday, Zelensky became the first foreign leader to attend a British Cabinet meeting in person since 1997. The Ukrainian president urged the British government to help with kyiv’s “long-range capability.”
But after the Cabinet and a one-to-one meeting between Sir Keir and Zelensky, Downing Street said there was “no change in our position” on weapons.
A No 10 spokesman said: “We have been providing military assistance to support Ukraine’s clear right to self-defence against Russia’s unlawful acts in accordance with international humanitarian law. The equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine.”