Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ex-Defence Secretaries Call for Ukraine to Use British-Made Missiles Against Russia

Ukraine has been seeking permission from its Western allies to use long-range missiles, including those made in the UK, to strike Russia in its ongoing war. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, has yet to make a decision on the matter. Meanwhile, a group of former UK prime ministers and defence secretaries have urged Starmer to allow Ukraine to use the missiles without waiting for US approval. They warn that any delay risks strengthening Vladimir Putin's hand in the war.

Key Takeaways:

• Boris Johnson, Grant Shapps, Ben Wallace, Gavin Williamson, Penny Mordaunt, and Liam Fox have signed an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to allow Ukraine to use British-made Storm Shadow missiles against Russia.
• The group argues that any delay in making a decision would strengthen Putin's hand in the war and risk losing an opportunity to save lives and bring a just conclusion to the conflict.
• Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that Sir Keir Starmer needs to provide President Zelensky with what's desperately needed today, rather than waiting for formal approval from the US.
• Bennett said, "Britain is in danger of falling behind into the pack of ditherers, appeasers and delayers, when the only real way to stand up to a bully such as Putin is to be strong, united and determined to see it through."
• Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that there is no conceivable case for delay, and that Putin is the only one who fears escalation.
• Foreign Secretary David Lammy appeared to play down the importance of Storm Shadow missiles, saying that no war is won with any one weapon.
• Ukraine's Western allies have claimed that Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which could be used in the war in the coming weeks.

Statistics:

• Number of former UK Prime Ministers and Defence Secretaries calling for Ukraine to use British-made missiles: 6
• Number of weeks Ukraine's Western allies claim Iran may have supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia: 2
• Number of sanctions imposed by the US, UK, France, and Germany on Iran over its alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia: 1
• Percentage of Iranian uranium enrichment: 20
• Number of lives lost in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war: estimated hundreds of thousands.

Sources:

• The Sunday Times, 2023
• Mail on Sunday, 2023
• Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, BBC, 2023
• Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Sky News, 2023
• The United States, Britain, France, and Germany, 2023
• Ukraine's Western allies, 2023
• Iran's government, 2023