Russia can end war now, says PM as Putin warns West
Russia “started” the conflict in Ukraine and could end it “quickly”, Sir Keir Starmer said after Vladimir Putin suggested Moscow would consider Western missiles fired at Russia an escalation of the war.
The Prime Minister is in Washington for talks with US President Joe Biden on Friday, as Kyiv’s allies discuss giving Ukraine permission to fire its missiles at targets inside Russia.
Putin told Russian state television that this “will mean nothing but the direct participation of NATO countries – the US and European countries – in the war in Ukraine.
“Their direct participation. And, of course, this changes the context, the nature of the conflict.”
He added: “If that is the case, we will take appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be posed to us.
Asked about his response to the remarks on his flight to Washington, the prime minister repeatedly lashed out saying that Russia has started the war.
“Russia started this conflict. Russia invaded Ukraine illegally. Russia can end this conflict quickly,” he told reporters, later adding: “To emphasize, it was Russia that started this in the first place. They created a conflict, they are the ones who do what is against the law.”
The prime minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy are on the agenda of international talks, as Ukraine’s allies discuss how to respond to Iran’s increased support for Russia.
Lammy he told the BBC this “clearly changes the debate” as he visited Kyiv with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
On Sunday, the day after the prime minister returns from Washington, the prime minister will fly to Rome to meet Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.
Italy currently holds the presidency of the G7 group of developed countries.
A week later world leaders will meet in New York for the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.
There has long been reluctance to allow Ukraine to fire western missiles at Russia, for fear that it could be seen as a provocation and draw the US, European countries and others directly into the picture.
But as winter approaches and Russia receives more support from Iran, minds seem to be changing.
You can read more about the Anglo-French cruise missile, called Storm Shadow, which can be used here.
When asked about the possibility of allowing the use of missiles, the public comments of the top leaders are still guarded.
“There are important developments in the next few weeks and months, in Ukraine and in the Middle East, so prudent decisions must be made,” the prime minister told reporters, without denying that the issue was on the agenda. .”
He noted that both US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and David Lammy recently visited Ukraine.
“Obviously they have us to report on this trip with a really important joint trip.”
Speaking at the beginning of the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “The bottom line is that only NATO personnel can deploy aircraft in these missile systems.
“Ukrainian workers cannot do this. So this is not about allowing or not allowing the Ukrainian government to hit Russia with these weapons.
“This is about whether NATO countries decide to participate directly in a military conflict.”
This is the prime minister’s second visit to Washington in just over two months, I traveled here in July for the NATO Summit and to visit the White House, shortly after winning the general election.
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