Starmer to Urge Allies on Advanced Missile Systems for Ukraine at UK Gathering
Sir Keir Starmer plans to press allies to deliver Ukrainian forces with more long-range missiles to hit Russian targets during talks in the UK capital on this Friday.
Britain's leader is set to welcome President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside the so-called "group of committed partners", including more than 20 of Kyiv's partners who have agreed to grant Ukraine security guarantees once a ceasefire is arranged.
Zelensky has been appealing for weeks for more advanced missile technology from the West, a step that the Russian government has cautions would worsen the war.
Ukraine's leader is coming from Brussels, where he held talks with EU leaders on yesterday seeking funding aid.
"The only person involved in current hostilities who refuses to halt the fighting is the Russian leader," the Prime Minister stated.
The Prime Minister will also reveal that 100 additional air defence missiles will be provided to Ukrainian forces sooner than scheduled, as detailed in a substantial financial arrangement reached between the United Kingdom and Ukraine in spring.
International Support
Zelensky travels off the back of significant diplomatic successes in recent days: Donald Trump's decision to implement additional restrictions against Moscow, and EU nations deciding to support Kyiv's budgetary shortfall.
Britain's leader is hoping to continue the forward movement by intensifying the pressure on Russia to negotiate a resolution to the war.
Meeting Attendees
- Alliance chief the Secretary General
- Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
- Holland's Schoof
- Further attendees like Paris's head Emmanuel Macron will attend online
The Prime Minister will urge participants to ramp up the delivery of long-range weapons following a productive attack on a chemical plant in the Bryansk region, Russia, using British-supplied missile systems.
"Additionally, his horrific strikes on young children in a nursery recently demonstrate that perfectly obvious," he continued.
Several minors were among no fewer than seven killed in a wave of Moscow's attacks on Ukrainian territory, which hit a nursery in the important metropolitan area the eastern city.
Financial Discussions
Sir Keir will consult supporting countries on methods to withdraw Russia's petroleum resources off the global market.
They will furthermore discuss using frozen Russian assets to offer the Ukrainian government with financial loans, although the plan encountered divided opinions and regulatory obstacles at the EU conference on the previous day.
The EU stopped short of agreeing an initiative to use up to €140bn in frozen Russian assets to financially prop up Ukraine.
Nevertheless, the delegates agreed to contribute to Ukraine's "budgetary necessities" for the coming 24 months.
America also announced sanctions on Wednesday against Russia's biggest energy corporations, Rosneft Oil and Lukoil, as part of efforts to apply monetary leverage on Russia to commence peace talks.
Moscow began its major offensive of Ukrainian territory in winter 2022. It currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, comprising the Crimean peninsula Moscow took control of in several years ago.