Ukraine to receive storm shadow missiles after pivotal Kyiv meeting
The United Kingdom has decided to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles to attack targets in Russia. The Guardian, citing sources in the British government, obtained this information.
This decision was made during a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kyiv on 11 September, at 16:00 GMT.
During their trip, representatives of the United Kingdom met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss attacks using Western long-range weapons on Russian territory.
Sources for the newspaper report that Blinken and Lammy travelled together to Kyiv only because a positive decision had been made regarding Storm Shadow. At the same time, "The Guardian" notes that if Lammy had publicly announced the decision in Kyiv, his words could have been seen as an unnecessary provocation.
This is great news for Ukraine, which may nonetheless impose restrictions on missile usage "to avoid reckless or unnecessary attacks."
The United States wants to support Ukraine
During his visit to Kyiv, Blinken said that the United States is ready "from day one" to adjust its policy to help Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor. "We will continue to do so," he said.
Blinken said that he decided to listen directly to Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials about Kyiv's goals in this war and what Washington can do to help achieve them.
After the meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had a "very significant and long conversation" with Antony Blinken and David Lammy.
All key issues were discussed. It is important that Ukrainian arguments are heard. This concerns long-range weapons, ensuring combat brigades on the front line, and the overall strategy for bringing about a just world - said Zelensky.
After meeting with the Ukrainian president, Blinken promised to convey Kyiv's position to US President Joe Biden and Lammy to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The leaders of the United States and the United Kingdom plan to meet on 13 September in Washington.
