SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 4 November 2024, Monday |

UK minister is “open minded” over sending longer-range weapons to Ukraine

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace stated on Monday that if Russia continued to attack civilian areas, he would be “open minded” considering providing Ukraine with longer-range weaponry.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, questioned Wallace in front of the legislature about the potential provision of longer-range missile systems

“I constantly review the weapons systems we could provide,” Wallace told parliament.

“We too have in our armour potential weapons systems that are longer and should the Russians continue to target civilian areas and try and break those Geneva Conventions, then I will be open minded to see what we do next,” he said, referring to agreed basic humanitarian principles during war.

Ukraine has accused Russia of using “kamikaze” drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to hit energy infrastructure and other targets.

Since February of this year, Britain has pledged 3.8 billion pounds in support for Ukraine, including the provision of arms, military instruction, and humanitarian aid.

One of Rishi Sunak’s first overseas trips after becoming the British prime minister in October was to Kiev, where he sought to reaffirm Johnson’s pledge that Britain would back Ukraine regardless of its president.

    Source:
  • Reuters