Russia and Iran are escalating the war in Ukraine, the UK and US’s most senior diplomats have warned.
The accusation from David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, and Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, paves the way for a possible change in policy to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to hit targets in Russian territory.
Speaking during a press conference in Kyiv during a joint visit to the city, the pair insisted that Iran’s move to give ballistic missiles to Russia had “clearly changed the debate”.
Mr Lammy condemned Tehran’s move as “a significant and dangerous escalation”.
The duo’s claim that it is Moscow – not Washington or London – which is responsible for escalating the conflict could signal a potential change of position over the supply of Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv.
Currently, Ukrainian troops are not allowed to use such weaponry to hit targets in Russian territory, despite the missiles having a range of about 155 miles.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, on Wednesday urged the UK and US to make a “strong decision” ahead of expected fighting this autumn and winter.
Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Biden will discuss the potential move in Washington DC on Friday, though any final decision may come later.
Meanwhile, Russian bombers have been spotted flying over Norwegian waters as part of the largest naval exercise carried out by Moscow in the post-Soviet era.
The Russian defence ministry released footage of the “Ocean 2024” military drills, which showed missiles and gunfire aimed at water surface targets.
Around 400 warships, 120 aircraft and 90,000 personnel are taking part in the war games, which are scheduled to last until Sept 16.
Mr Lammy and Mr Blinken’s press conference on Wednesday evening wrapped up the first joint overseas trip by the UK and US’s leading diplomats for more than a decade.
The pair described their visit as a “listening” exercise – including understanding what change Ukraine wanted on its use of long-range missiles – with the findings to be fed back to their respective leaders.
However, when challenged on whether there were concerns that a change in the terms of use would be escalatory, they pointed the finger of blame back at Moscow.
Mr Blinken said: “Just speaking for the United States, from day one … we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed, and I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that, as this evolves.”
Escalation was “one of the factors that we always consider but it’s certainly not the only factor and it’s not necessarily a dispositive factor,” he said.
Mr Blinken added: “We’ve seen Russia now pursue and indeed escalate its attacks inside Ukraine, on civilians, on energy infrastructure, as well as on the Ukrainian military that’s defending its country.
“And we’ve now seen this action of Russia acquiring ballistic missiles from Iran, which will further empower their aggression in Ukraine. So if anyone is taking escalatory action, it would appear to be Mr Putin [the Russian president] and Russia.”
Mr Lammy said: “It is Putin who has escalated this week with the shipment of ballistic missiles from Iran and we’re seeing this new axis, Russia, Iran, North Korea. We urge China not to throw their lot in with this group of renegades.”
The US and UK declassified intelligence this week to accuse Iran of providing Fatah-360 ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Sky News on Wednesday published satellite imagery said to show a Russian-flagged cargo ship suspected of transporting ballistic missiles from Iran at a port in Russia a week ago.
Mr Lammy, on his first visit to Ukraine as foreign secretary, held joint talks alongside Mr Blinken with Mr Zelensky, as well as other senior figures in the Ukrainian government.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Zelensky piled further pressure on his Western allies for a change in policy on long-range missiles.
He said: “I will have a little bit later a talk with him [Blinken] and minister of foreign affairs for the UK [Lammy].
“I don’t know all the details of our conversation. I will be ready to be open and honest after these consultations. If I am optimistic about their decision to give us permission to use long distance, it is a pity it doesn’t depend on my optimism. It depends on their optimism.
“Let’s count on some strong decisions on this. For us, it is very important for today. Anyway, I will tell you after the meeting and anyway, I am counting on my dialogue with President Biden this month.”
It was also announced on Wednesday that Ukraine is to receive £600 million worth of extra support from the UK, including to build up its energy supply after targeted Russian attacks.
At least £242 million of funding will be sent directly to Ukraine. The figure was confirmed by Labour after being announced by Rishi Sunak, the then prime minister, earlier in the summer.
The Government has provided a new breakdown of how the money will be spent, including £20 million towards improving Ukraine’s energy supply as winter looms.
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Kieran Kelly ; Ben Riley-Smith, Political Editor, in Kyiv ; Joe Barnes, BRUSSELS CORRESPONDENT ; Lilia Sebouai and Jacob Freedland
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