Why hasn't Britain sent more long-range missiles to Ukraine?

Ukrainian officials expressed frustration and said that Britain had not sent more long-range missiles because bilateral relations had deteriorated since the British Labour Party came to power.

The Guardian newspaper on November 8 quoted Ukrainian officials as saying that relations between the country and the UK have deteriorated since the British Labour Party took power in July, and expressed frustration that the UK has not agreed to send more long-range missiles.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has yet to visit Ukraine four months after taking office and Kyiv believes a visit would not be worth it unless Mr Starmer commits to sending more long-range Storm Shadow missiles.

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"It makes no sense for him to come here as a tourist," a senior figure in President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration said, at a time when Ukraine is deeply concerned about the impact that Donald Trump's victory in the US election will have on its efforts to counter Russia.

Ukraine is increasingly unhappy with Britain as Russian troops advance in the east at their fastest pace since 2022. Ukrainian commanders say they are outgunned.

Ukraine is looking to the UK to send Storm Shadow missiles amid Russia's continued advances on the battlefield.

"That's not happening. Mr Starmer hasn't given us long-range weapons. It's not the same as when Rishi Sunak was prime minister. The relationship has gotten worse," the official said.

Mr Sunak visited Kyiv in November 2022, within a month of becoming British prime minister. His predecessor, Boris Johnson, had a close relationship with Mr Zelensky and was seen by Ukraine as a key supporter soon after Russia invaded.

The Storm Shadow cruise missile was developed through cooperation between the UK and France. It is air-launched with a range of about 250km and is considered one of Ukraine's most effective tools in the war.

Prime Minister Starmer met President Zelensky on November 7 on the sidelines of a political conference in Hungary, affirming London's "unwavering" support for Kyiv.

However, the Ukrainian leader later called on social media when posting a photo of the two with the caption "an important element of the victory plan is to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons and license their use against military targets on Russian territory".

Sources in Kyiv said the meeting in Hungary "made no progress" on the missile issue.

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The UK government has affirmed its "ironclad" support for Ukraine and Prime Minister Starmer has made it clear that his government will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary.

"One of the prime minister's first decisions on taking office was to commit £3bn in annual support to Ukraine. Since then, the prime minister has met President Zelensky six times, including hosting him at 10 Downing Street twice and meeting him at the European Political Community meeting in Hungary," a UK government spokesman said.

The UK is the third largest donor of military equipment after the US and Germany. The total amount committed by the UK from 2022 is £12.8 billion, of which £5 billion is financial and humanitarian support and £7.8 billion is military aid.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-anh-chua-gui-them-ten-lua-tam-xa-cho-ukraine-185241109105311486.htm