Moscow.- Russia warns the United Kingdom that its support for Ukraine could be interpreted as London’s participation in the war, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared this Tuesday.
“I feel sorry for the United Kingdom, when it says that it will be with Ukraine until the end,” Lavrov stated to Russian state television.
The Russian Foreign Minister added that President Vladimir Putin had already warned that Moscow would act if anyone threatens its interests and properties.
Lavrov insisted that Russia also has the right to consider the participation of British missile forces in attacks against Russian territory as an intervention by London in the Ukraine war, with “all the consequences that entails.”
United Kingdom reaffirms its support for Ukraine
Lavrov’s statements come after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated this Tuesday that the United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine “100%”.
Burnham maintained that the British position since the start of the conflict in 2022 has been to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself, and he assured that London will maintain its backing for Kyiv.
The statement came after Russia threatened “inevitable consequences” for the UK for providing Ukraine with drones that can be used in the war against Russian forces.
We recommend reading: Russia and the war of cheap drones against European aviation
More Read
For its part, the Russian embassy in London previously accused the British Government of deliberately choosing to escalate the crisis in Ukraine and pointed to it as an accomplice in the attacks it attributes to Kyiv.
The new statements raise tension between Moscow and London once again, amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the military and political support that the United Kingdom maintains for Kyiv.
Russia’s statements increase tension with the United Kingdom, while London maintains its support for Ukraine amidst the war facing Kyiv and Moscow.
Possible consequences of the British position
Moscow’s warning comes in a context of growing tension between Russia and the United Kingdom due to the support that London maintains for Kyiv. For the Russian government, the supply of equipment and military assistance to Ukraine represents greater involvement of Western countries in the conflict.
Lavrov maintained that Moscow is especially observing actions related to the use of weaponry provided by Ukraine’s allied countries. In that sense, he pointed out that Russia may interpret the participation of British forces in attacks against Russian territory as a direct intervention in the war.
The Russian position increases concern about a possible escalation between Moscow and London, two countries that have maintained deep differences since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
London maintains its support for Kyiv
The British Government, however, maintains that its support for Ukraine is intended to enable the country to defend itself against the Russian offensive.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated that London will continue to support Kyiv and will maintain the policy adopted by the United Kingdom since the beginning of the conflict.
The British support comes in coordination with other Western countries that have provided military, economic, and political aid to Ukraine throughout the course of the war.
From Moscow, these actions are viewed differently. Russian authorities have warned on several occasions that the supply of weapons and military equipment by Western countries could turn them into increasingly direct participants in the conflict.
Lavrov’s new statements place relations between Russia and the United Kingdom under pressure once again and reflect the difficulties in reducing tensions surrounding the war.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues and the governments of both countries maintain opposing positions on the conditions necessary to reach a negotiated settlement.
