Vladimir Putin has been accused of “shameless grandstanding” over his warning that Nato will be at war with Russia if Ukraine is allowed to use British long-range missiles to attack his country.
Foreign secretary David Lammy said the UK and America “won’t be bullied” by the Russian president.
His comments came after Keir Starmer and US president Joe Biden failed to reach a deal which would see Ukraine given permission to fire British Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russia.
Speaking last week, Putin said that would “would mean that Nato countries, the United States, and European countries, are at war with Russia”.
Asked about the impasse on Sky News this morning, Lammy said: “We won’t be bullied by Putin’s shameless grandstandiung.
“What he should now do is cease his aggression and leave Ukraine, that’s what he should do.
“But the UK and our public should be absolutely confident that we are supporting Ukraine in their struggle.”
Speaking later on the BBC, Lammy said: “I think what Putin is doing is throwing dust up into the air. There’s a lot of bluster – that’s his modus operandi.
“He threatens about tanks, he threatens about missiles, he threatens about nuclear weapons, and we cannot be blown off course by an imperialist fascist, effectively, that wants to move into countries willy nilly.
“If we let him with Ukraine, believe me he will not stop there.”
Lammy’s comments came as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelesnkyy repeated his appeal for his country to be given all the military support possible to defeat Russia.
Posting on X on Sunday morning, he said: “This week, the Russians have launched around 30 missiles of various types, more than 800 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 300 strike drones against Ukraine.
“Ukraine needs strong support from our partners to defend lives against Russian terror—air defence, long-range capabilities, support for our warriors. Everything that will help force Russia to end this war.”
