Keir Starmer has openly committed to providing unwavering support for Kyiv. However, the actual situation is alarmingly lacking.
Efforts by Sir Keir Starmer to assert strong global leadership on the critical issue of supporting Ukraine are being somewhat weakened by Downing Street’s hesitation in granting Kyiv the capability to carry out deep strikes within Russian territory.
Since coming to power, the Starmer Government has consistently signaled that the UK’s support for Ukraine’s war effort would remain unwavering. Starmer, who had pledged “unwavering support” for Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv before the general election, reinforced his pro-Ukraine stance by inviting President Volodymyr Zelensky to address the Cabinet—something no world leader has done since Bill Clinton in 1997.
Earlier this week, on the occasion of Ukraine’s 33rd independence anniversary, Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment, stating that the nation would stand by Ukraine “today and always.”
However, Zelensky’s cautious response suggests that the Ukrainian leader remains unconvinced about Starmer’s sincerity in providing the essential weaponry Ukraine needs to succeed on the battlefield. Zelensky’s appeal to the British Prime Minister last month, urging him to “show leadership” by offering tangible support, reflects this uncertainty.
Zelensky is particularly frustrated by the Prime Minister’s reluctance to approve Ukraine’s use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles—supplied by the UK—to target military objectives deep within Russian territory. The Storm Shadow missile, a key asset for the British military since its deployment during the Iraq war in 2003, has proven its effectiveness in conflicts such as Libya and Syria, delivering precision strikes at long range.
For Ukraine, using these weapons to target critical military installations within Russia, like air bases, is crucial for consolidating its recent territorial gains, including the capture of around 500 square miles in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Ukraine’s ability to defend and possibly expand its hold on Russian territory hinges on its capacity to strike deep within Russia and repel any counterattacks from Moscow.
The fear of escalating the conflict between Russia and the West has consistently influenced Western leaders’ willingness to supply Ukraine with the necessary weapons for victory. This is especially true in Washington, where the Biden administration’s caution against provoking Putin has significantly limited Western military support for Ukraine.
While the UK has provided Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, strict limitations have been placed on their use against targets within Russia, imposed by both the UK and the US. This is why, despite Downing Street’s recent claim that Kyiv has been given the green light to use Storm Shadows against Russian targets, doubts persist—especially in Kyiv—about the authenticity of this approval.
Politically, it is advantageous for Starmer to project himself as a strong supporter of Ukraine, suggesting that the UK has lifted restrictions on the missiles’ use. However, the reality is that any deployment of these missiles is likely to involve coordination with US military systems, with Washington ultimately controlling their use against Russian targets. As long as the Biden administration remains cautious, such strikes are unlikely to be authorized.
When questioned in Berlin yesterday about Washington’s role in limiting Storm Shadow’s use, Starmer was evasive, stating he could not discuss “tactical questions” regarding the missiles.
If Starmer were genuinely committed to enabling Ukraine to use Storm Shadow effectively, he and his ministers would be lobbying Washington to lift these restrictions. Instead, the ambiguity surrounding Ukraine’s ability to use these weapons only strengthens the perception that under Starmer's Labour government, providing decisive leadership on the Ukraine issue is no longer a top priority.
Nevertheless, Ukraine may soon reach a point where it no longer needs to depend on Western support to sustain its war effort. Kyiv recently successfully launched a domestically produced ballistic missile, a significant development that will allow Ukraine to independently target Russian sites in its campaign to defeat the Kremlin.
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