Zelensky asks Keir Starmer three questions to 'change the course of the war' with Russia

President Zelensky questioned whether Western leaders have the “strength” or “will” to end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking just hours before Sir Keir Starmer met with President Joe Biden in Washington, the Ukrainian leader urged them to “truly change the course of the war”.

He suggested British-made Storm Shadow and American ATACM missiles would allow Ukrainian forces to destroy key Russian military targets “in a matter of months”.

President Zelensky, who met former Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the Yalta European Strategy annual meeting, declared: “I believe there should be no unanswered questions about why Ukraine needs sufficient long-range capabilities.

“I want to emphasize the word “sufficient”—not just enough to say that there is a decision, but enough to truly change the course of the war and compel Russia to seek peace.

“This requires strong decisions from the world.

“You all know what these decisions are. When we hear that missiles have arrived in Russia from Iran, it is the same evil that the allies had to shoot-down in the skies of the Middle East.

“So far, the only country that has managed to shoot down Russian drones is Belarus.

“This is humiliating for the democratic world. We know where Russian air defense is located, where Russian missile launchers are being deployed, and what logistics routes are critical for the Russian occupation forces.

“All of this can be destroyed in a matter of months. Let me remind you, the full-scale war has been ongoing for three years now. So, what is missing to end it? Strength? Decisions? Or the will?”

President Zelensky said he told Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken how Moscow launches devastating strikes on Ukraine from deep inside Russia.

And the Kremlin keeps its reserves, trains it forces and stores its equipment out of range of short-range ballistic missiles.

Sir Keir used the two-hour meeting in the White House to discuss how to bring about a “long-term solution” to the war, as well as the conflict in Gaza. The “strategic” discussions represent a shift from the present policy of staying the course to one where there is some form of end to the conflict.

The UK and US are expected to agree to allow Ukraine to use British-made long-range Storm Shadow missiles and their French equivalent, Scalp missiles, against targets in Russia.

Washington is understood to have held back on lifting restrictions on the use of long-range missiles in Ukraine over fears it could lead to American troops being attacked in the Middle East.

There is particular concern that it could lead to Russia providing Iran and its proxy forces with technological help to attack US forces.

The Prime Minister, travelling to Washington, dismissed Vladimir Putin’s warning of war between NATO and Russia if Western leaders lift restrictions on long-range missiles, insisting “we don’t seek any conflict”.

He said: “Russia started this conflict.

“Russia illegally invaded Ukraine.

“Russia could end this conflict straight away.

“Ukraine has the right to self defence.

“We don't seek any conflict with Russia. That's not our intention in the slightest. But they started this conflict in Ukraine."

Putin warned NATO would be at war with Russia if they allow Kyiv to use long-range missiles to hit targets deep inside Russia.

He told reporters: “And if this is the case, then, bearing in mind the change in the essence of the conflict, we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats that will be posed to us”.

The Russian dictator claimed the long-range missiles require “intelligence data” from Western satellites.

He added: “The key point even is that only NATO military personnel can assign flight missions to these missile systems. Ukrainian servicemen cannot do this.

“Therefore, it is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not.

“It is about deciding whether NATO countries become directly involved.

Russian diplomats in London went further, warning that the Government appears “to be edging towards a new, highly perilous phase of escalation”.

Uploading a video purporting to be a destroyed British Challenger 2 tank, they said “investments” will “likely go up in smoke” in Ukraine.

The Russian Embassy in London added: “It is time to acknowledge that fulfilling pre-election promises to revitalise the British economy and improve living standards is incompatible with the continuous entanglement in Washington’s geopolitical "proxy" ventures.

“Moreover, in an attempt to reverse the unfavourable dynamics for their Kiev clientele, British authorities appear to be edging toward a new, highly perilous phase of escalation.

“We advise London to soberly assess the trajectory and prospects of the conflict and to cease sacrificing the well-being of its own citizens, the lives of thousands of ordinary Ukrainians, as well as international and European stability.

“Their American allies should be encouraged to do the same.”

Poland’s prime minister said on Friday he was not worried by Vladimir Putin’s comments that the West would be directly fighting with Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles.

“It is necessary to take all events in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian-Russian front very seriously, but I would not attach excessive importance to the latest statements from President Putin,” Donald Tusk said.

“They rather show the difficult situation the Russians have on the front.”