Zelensky tells PM to show leadership and help Ukraine with long-range capability
Ukrainian President has asked the Prime Minister to "show your leadership" and help with Ukraine with its long-range capability.
President Volodymyr Zelensky was visiting Downing Street, where he became the first foreign leader to address Cabinet in person since 1997, and was greeted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with a warm hug and handshake before entering Number 10.
The Ukrainian president told the cabinet in his address that "if the restriction on Western weapons is lifted, it would help Kyiv to strengthen its defence and secure its frontline positions".
Mr Zelensky added "it is possible to destroy" areas in Russia where weapons are being concentrated.
When talking about long-range capability, Ukraine's leader said "we are still missing the main answer to this question", asking Sir Keir "to show your leadership" on the issue.
Mr Zelensky has said the ability to use Western weapons to strike into Russian territory is important to Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against Moscow.
The UK Government has suggested the deployment of British missiles is ultimately a matter for Ukraine, as long as international law is upheld.
It comes after the Defence Secretary signalled the Government's intent to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for defensive strikes against targets in Russia.
Storm Shadow missiles are precision-guided cruise missiles that can be used against ground targets and are particularly effective against large static targets such as bunkers.
Downing Street did not confirm whether British Storm Shadow missiles can be used by Ukraine to strike into Russian territory as part of the country’s efforts to defend itself.
When asked if the PM was receptive to Mr Zelensky's calls for permission to use UK weapons in Russia, a Number 10 spokeswoman said the PM made the UK's "position very clear".
"I think what was also clear from the Cabinet meeting which you saw and yesterday, was our unwavering support for Ukraine. That will not change and we’re determined to support them for as long as it takes," the spokesperson said.
When pressed on whether the UK has lifted restrictions on using Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia, the official said there had been "no change to our position and the Prime Minister set that out yesterday".
"We have been providing military aid to support Ukraine’s clear right to self-defence against Russia’s illegal acts in accordance with international humanitarian law," they said.
"Equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine."
Mr Zelensky already said before Friday's meeting that he would push for permission to use the long-range missiles to strike inside Russia.
Defence Secretary John Healey told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK was "providing weapons to Ukraine for their defence of their sovereign country".
"And that does not preclude them hitting targets in Russia," he said.
"But that must be done by the Ukrainians, it must be done within the parameters and the bounds of international humanitarian law."
When asked whether Mr Zelensky can hit where Russian missiles are coming from, Mr Healey said "these are complex questions" and that he would not "discuss the details of those sorts of things in public".
"We are continuing very intense discussions with the Ukrainians because we as a country want to do everything we can to support Ukraine’s effort to fight for their freedom," he said.
Speaking to Forces News, the Armed Forces Minister said despite only being in office for two weeks, he has been "incredibly impressed by the efforts of our forces already" to support Ukraine.
Luke Pollard said that work will continue and the Prime Minister will use the meeting with Mr Zelensky to "reaffirm Britain's support for Ukraine until they win".
He said this would include making sure Ukraine are "getting not just the 155 shells, the small arms ammunition that they need for that trench warfare", but also seeing the UK "create new weapons systems that can be used by Ukraine to defeat Russia in those occupied territories".
"It's really important that we continue that support," he said.
"I'm speaking to people that have been training Ukrainian troops, with Operation Interflex those people who are supporting the transfer of British munitions to Ukraine, that there's enormous pride in our Armed Forces for what they are doing and enormous respect for our Ukrainian friends that are fighting on the front line.
"That's going to continue, and we're going to continue to support Ukraine until they win."
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