Britain is expected to supply Storm Shadow missiles for use by Ukraine on targets in Russia now that the US president, Joe Biden, has agreed to do the same for the similar American long-range Atacms weapon.
Keir Starmer said at the G20 summit that the UK recognised it needed to "double down" on its support for Ukraine, while diplomatic sources briefed they expected other European countries to follow the US lead.
The prime minister said that while he was "not going to get into operational details" he recognised the need to do more to help Ukraine, whose electricity network was seriously damaged by a wave of Russian bombing on Sunday.
"I've been really clear for a long time now, we need to double down. We need to make sure Ukraine has what is necessary for as long as necessary, because we cannot allow Putin to win this war," Starmer said.
Russia, however, accused the west of escalation and said that Biden risked adding "fuel to the fire" in Ukraine. While the president-elect, Donald Trump, remained silent on the issue, his son Donald Jr accused the military industrial complex of wanting to get "world war three going".
Storm Shadow missiles have a range of about 150 miles, similar to the Atacms, and have in the past been given to Kyiv by the UK and France to strike targets within Ukraine's internationally recognised borders.
But the US retained an effective veto on their use because it supplies a guidance system. Repeated lobbying by the UK had failed to shift the US position, which began to soften only after the election victory of Trump.
Ukraine wants to be able to strike barracks, fuel and logistics hubs, and airbases deeper inside Russia to blunt Moscow's relentless attacks on their country. Russia, by contrast, is able to strike targets anywhere in Ukraine.
This story is from the November 19, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 19, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kumbh Mela crush: How elation turned to horror as tragedy unfolded at festival
As the sun set on the sangam, the sacred meeting point of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers on Tuesday, there was a mood of jubilation on the banks. This was the eve of one of the holiest days of the Kumbh Mela festival – the largest religious gathering not only in India but the world – and millions had made long journeys to immerse themselves in the water.
Akanji says City can 'beat every team in Europe' after slow start
Manuel Akanji is convinced Manchester City can rediscover their best levels to go far in the Champions League and has warned Real Madrid and Bayern Munich they can \"beat every team in Europe\".
Central Bank Cuts Eurozone Interest Rates as Growth Stagnates
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to ease the cost of borrowing across the 20-member eurozone as growth stagnates in the region.
Swedish PM says killing of protester may be linked to 'foreign power'
Sweden's prime minister has said a foreign power may have been involved in the fatal shooting of an anti-Islam campaigner killed hours before a trial verdict over his burning of the Qur'an was due.
We're done with corruption' Serbia's students rise up against the system
Sitting on the balustrade of a viaduct in Belgrade, Uroš Pantović wasn't in the mood to mince his words. The 22-year-old had joined tens of thousands of other protesters on Monday to block one of the Serbian capital's main intersections, turning the junction into a sea of mostly good-humoured but nonetheless determined dissent.
Channel 4 boss urges TV sector to unite against 'tech titans'
The head of Channel 4 has called on the television industry to unite to battle the \"wanton abandonment of the pursuit of truth\" by \"tech titans\" seeking profits.
Arsenal Snap Up USA Defender Nighswonger From Gotham
Arsenal signed the USA defender Jenna Nighswonger before the Women's Super League transfer window closed last night.
Flight 5342 Russian former world champions and two skaters, 16, among the dead
The figure skating world united in grief yesterday after it emerged that as many as 14 skaters and their coaches were onboard the American Airlines plane that crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night.
Dissident in Cairo jail may give up British citizenship in despair
Alaa Abd El Fattah, the British-Egyptian political dissident held in a Cairo jail for more than five years, has reached such a state of despair over the UK's inability to secure his release that he has contemplated renouncing both citizenships, his letters reveal.
Ramallah Jubilant crowds greet 'folk hero' prisoner
As the line of white buses drew closer to the West Bank city of Ramallah at dusk, the most notorious passenger stood at the window of one bus and waved.
