Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer has promised that Russia’s “irresponsible rhetoric” on nuclear weapons will not affect UK support for Ukraine.
Ukraine fired US-supplied missiles at Russian territory for the first time, according to the Russian government.
On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin approved changes to Russia’s nuclear decree, including new conditions for using its arsenal and treating strikes from non-nuclear states backed by nuclear states as a joint attack on Russia.
At a press conference to conclude the G20 summit of the world’s leading economies in Brazil, journalists asked the Prime Minister about whether the UK should be preparing for nuclear war.
He replied, “There is irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia, and that’s not going to deter our support for Ukraine.”
Speaking on how there had already been “1,000 days of sacrifice,” the PM said the UK would continue to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to fight the war “for as long as it needs.”.
“On day 1,000 of the war, I say again—end the war, get out of Ukraine, and in this moment when global challenges are affecting us at home, I take the view that British leadership matters,” he added.
Keir mentioned that Putin had been absent from the G20 for the third year running, adding he was “the author of his own exile.”.
The UK has also given Ukraine Storm Shadow missiles and defence officials, although ministers have refused to comment on how they will be used by Ukraine following the White House’s decision.
