UK insists support for Ukraine is ‘unwavering’

The government’s support for Ukraine is “unwavering”, Downing Street has insisted after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested UK backing had “slowed down”.

Over the weekend, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine needed partners “who can truly help to step up”.

He also repeated his call for Ukraine to be allowed to use long-range missiles, donated by Western allies, against targets inside Russia.

No 10 said the prime minister was “resolute” in his support for Ukraine, adding that the UK had committed £3bn a year to help its ally.

A spokeswoman said there had been “no change” in the UK’s position on how Ukraine could use long-range missiles but added there was “ongoing dialogue”.

Downing Street’s comments come almost two weeks after Ukraine launched a shock incursion into Russia’s western border territories, advancing 18 miles into the Kursk region.

In a message posted to social media on Saturday, Mr Zelensky said the “bravery” and “resilience” of his soldiers “compensate for the lack of essential decisions from our partners”.

The Ukrainian president has previously urged the British government to let him use long-range Storm Shadow missiles, provided by the UK, against targets inside Russia.

On Saturday he reiterated this call saying: “It is crucial that our partners remove barriers that hinder us from weakening Russian positions in the way this war demands.

“Long-range capabilities are the answer to the most critical strategic questions of this war.”

He added that throughout the war, which started in 2022, the UK had “demonstrated leadership” in its support for Ukraine.

However, he added: “Unfortunately, the situation has slowed down recently. We will discuss how to fix this because long-range capabilities are vital for us.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK has been one of the country’s leading donors, pledging £12.5bn, including £7.6bn for military assistance.

The UK has previously said Ukraine has a “clear right” to use UK-provided weapons for “self defence” and that “does not preclude operations inside Russia”.

The stance means anti-tank missiles, artillery and armoured vehicles can be used as part of Ukraine’s offensive in Russia.

However, there is still an exception for the use of Storm Shadow missiles, which were supplied on the understanding they would not be used for targets inside Russia.

Storm Shadow missiles have a range of more than 150 miles meaning Ukrainian pilots can use them while staying away from the front line of the conflict.

So far, Ukraine’s other Western allies have also avoided giving Kyiv the green light to use their long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia.

Asked about Mr Zelensky’s comments, No 10 said: “The prime minister remains absolutely resolute in his support for Ukraine.

“On the latest situation, including in Kursk, the prime minister wants to set out his full admiration for the bravery shown by Ukrainian soldiers who have once again proved their spirit and determination in the face of continued Russian aggression.

“It is a reminder that Ukraine has consistently exceeded expectations of what is possible and Russia continues to fail.

“But in terms of our support, again, it is unwavering. That’s why we committed to £3bn a year in support for Ukraine to do that for as long as it (the war) lasts.”

Pressed on whether the government would lift restrictions on how Ukraine can use the UK-donated Storm Shadow missiles, No 10 said there had been “no change in the UK’s position on that specifically”.

The spokeswoman added that the UK has “an ongoing dialogue with our allies about a co-ordinated effort between us all to do the same thing and be united in our support for Ukraine”.