Iranian missiles to Russia shift Ukraine debate — UK Foreign Secretary Lammy

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy shared the information with BBC

Lammy and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv after talks in London. They met President Zelenskyy, who urged allies to ease restrictions on Western weapons. The U.S. and UK have not approved the use of long-range missiles against targets in Russia to avoid escalation.

Asked about the risk of escalation, the U.S. secretary of state added, "We've now seen this action of Russia acquiring ballistic missiles from Iran, which will further empower their aggression in Ukraine. So if anyone is taking escalatory action, it would appear to be Mr Putin and Russia."

Lammy avoided commenting on whether the U.S. and UK would allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles but stated, "I am not prepared to give Putin the advantage."

Biden has indicated that his administration is considering lifting the restrictions, but no decision has been made public.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Kyiv's victory "depends mostly on the support of the United States."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that addressing long-range missile restrictions is crucial in light of reports that Iran might transfer ballistic missiles to Russia. He emphasized the need for bold action.

In an interview with the BBC, Lammy said Iran providing Russia with ballistic missiles "clearly changes the debate" as they would allow Moscow's forces "to have further penetration into Ukraine".

"That is very dangerous," Lammy said, adding, "As we see the Russians working with their partners, we see this transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia, it is important that we do more to support Ukraine to win in their efforts."

On Wednesday, Lammy announced the UK would provide £600m ($780m) in aid to Ukraine for humanitarian, energy, and stabilization needs. Blinken revealed an additional $700m in U.S. assistance, including for energy and demining. This aid followed new sanctions by the U.S., UK, France, and Germany on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. The UK also summoned Iran's top diplomat over the issue.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked Lammy for the UK’s military support for Ukraine throughout the war. But he added, “We hope that long-range equipment for strikes on the territory of our enemy will be reached and we will have it and we hope for your help and support in this issue.”

Asked if the U.S. would lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons, President Biden said his administration was "working that out now." Earlier this year, the U.S. eased some restrictions, permitting Ukraine to use long-range missiles to target areas along Russia's border where troops are stationed.

Kyiv's allies have supplied long-range weapons with restrictions to avoid provoking retaliation or drawing NATO into the war. On Wednesday, the Kremlin warned that Russia would respond "appropriately" if the U.S. permitted Ukrainian missile strikes on its territory.

Before visiting Kyiv, Blinken accused Iran of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which could be used against Ukrainians within weeks. Lammy called Iran's actions a "significant and dangerous escalation." The missiles might enhance Russia's ability to strike Ukrainian cities near its borders or areas under its control, while also deploying longer-range missiles deeper into Ukraine. 

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied his country was supplying missiles to Russia, accusing Western countries of "acting on faulty intelligence and flawed logic".

The UK has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 250km (155 miles), currently used only against Russian targets in occupied Ukrainian areas. Ukrainian leaders argue they need these missiles to target Russian air bases from which warplanes launch glide bombs, often from deep within Russian territory.

• Earlier, the Guardian reported that senior officials in the UK have decided to let Ukraine target Russian locations using Storm Shadow missiles.