Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin increases nuclear weapon threat as UK expected to sign off missile strikes

The Kremlin said on Monday that if the United States allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike far into Russia then it would lead to a rise in tension and deepen the involvement of the US in the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the outgoing administration of Joe Biden was throwing “oil on the fire” and he reiterated earlier warnings from Russian president Vladimir Putin saying that any strikes on Russian soil using US weapons would be interpreted as direct Nato involvement.

In response to a question from Tass at his regular press briefing, Mr Peskov said Russia was only aware of the apparent decision by the Biden administration from reporting in western media.

He said if western weapons are fired deep into Russia, it would not be Ukraine doing the targeting “but those countries which gave permission.”

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday said he hoped that EU members could agree to allow Ukraine to use arms to strike inside Russia.

He said before a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels: “I’ve been saying once and again that Ukraine should be able to use the arms we provided to them, in order to not only stop the arrows but also to be able to hit the archers.

“I continue believing this is what has to be done. I’m sure we will discuss once again. I hope member states will agree on that.”

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge pressed the Government to follow in America's footsteps and allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russian territory.

In the Commons, Mr Cartlidge said: "We welcome very strongly the decision by the United States to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Kursk. I know he doesn't want to go into operational detail, I understand that, but can I assure him of our support if he now follows through in relation to storm shadow, as we believe he should.

"But does he agree with me there will be those who talk about escalation, but the only escalation that matters here is 10,000 North Korean troops on the ground, supporting Russia in their illegal war?"

Defence Secretary John Healey replied: "The shadow secretary of state is right, the one person responsible for escalation in this conflict is President Putin. The one side that has been escalating in recent moths is Russia."

He added: "This is a very serious development that I'm discussing with the US defence secretary and will be doing so this evening with the Ukrainian defence secretary as well."

Defence Secretary John Healey would not be drawn on whether the Government will allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles from the UK inside Russian territory, in line with its US ally.

Mr Healey said: “I will not compromise operations, security and comment on details of long-range systems today. The Prime Minister has been clear, as I do to the House today, that we must double down on the support for Ukraine, give Ukraine the support it needs, and do so for as long as it takes.

“And in doing so we will continue our close co-operation with the US and allies in providing that support to Ukraine.”

This came in response to chairman of the defence committee Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who argued that Ukraine is “fighting and defending itself with one hand tied behind its back”.

He said: “Given the continuous bombing of Ukrainian communities by Russia, and given that we’ve got thousands of North Korean troops fighting against our ally, in our continent, will Ukraine now be allowed to use those storm shadow missiles? Obviously within the confines of international law.

“Or are are we expecting Ukraine to continue fighting and defending itself with one hand tied behind its back and to keep those storm shadows in safe storage?”

Slovak prime minister Robert Fico strongly opposed US decision to allow Ukraine use long-range weapons in strikes against Russia, saying it aimed to thwart or delay peace negotiations.

"This is an unprecedented escalation of tensions, a decision that thwarts hopes for the start of any peace talks and an end to the mutual killing of Slavs in Ukraine," Fico said in a statement.

Russia’s foreign ministry warned on Monday that Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to attack Russian territory, with assistance from the United States and allies, would represent a dramatic escalation of the conflict.

The ministry stated that such a move would fundamentally alter the essence of the war and elicit “an adequate and tangible” response from Russia.

Defence Secretary John Healey told the Commons: “Tomorrow marks the bloody milestone of 1,000 days since [Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine began. The UK continues to be united for Ukraine and this Government continues to step up support for Ukraine.

“As part of this, I can confirm today that 50,000 Ukrainian troops have now been trained through Operation Interflex, that’s the UK-led multinational training programme, which I’ve now extended to run throughout 2025.”

Operation Interflex launched in June 2022 and is the successor to Operation Orbital, the British Army’s previous training programme in Ukraine.

A UK-led operation has trained 50,000 Ukrainian troops since 2022, the Government has said.

Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale argued that Ukraine should be able to use UK-supplied missiles “as it sees fit”.

Sir Roger, who represents Herne Bay and Sandwich, said: “Will the United Kingdom, preferably in tandem with our European colleagues, make necessary bilaterally with United States, align with the United States, in permitting Ukraine to use the missile defence system that we have supplied as it sees fit in its own defence?”

Defence minister Maria Eagle replied: “We intend to align with our allies in making sure that Ukraine can make use of the capabilities that’s been offered by those who have committed support to that country in its fight.”

Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale argued that Ukraine should be able to use UK-supplied missiles “as it sees fit”.