What's happened
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden are discussing lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles against Russian targets. This comes amid rising tensions and warnings from President Putin about potential NATO involvement. The situation remains fluid as discussions continue ahead of the UN General Assembly.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the BBC, David Lammy emphasized the need for a unified strategy among Ukraine's allies, stating, "No war is won with any one weapon." Meanwhile, The Independent reported that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and others are pressing for immediate action, warning that delays only benefit Putin. Lammy's comments reflect a cautious approach, balancing military support with the potential for escalation, as he noted, "This is under careful discussion with the Ukrainians."
How we got here
The conflict in Ukraine escalated after Russia's invasion in February 2022. Ukraine has sought long-range missile capabilities to defend against ongoing attacks. Recent discussions between Starmer and Biden have focused on military support for Ukraine, particularly regarding missile use.
More on these topics
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
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Rachel Jane Reeves is a British Labour Party politician serving as Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office since 2020. She has been the Member of Parliament for Leeds West since 2010.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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David Lindon Lammy PC FRSA is a British Labour Party politician serving as Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000, and has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020.