British Foreign Secretary David Cameron speaks to reporters in Kiev, May 2, 2024 (Thomas Peter/POOL/AFP)
- Russia said it could attack British military facilities because of Britain's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
- British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said last week that Ukraine could use British weapons to attack targets inside Russia.
- Russia says Britain must consider “catastrophic consequences” including attacks on British facilities “on Ukrainian territory and abroad.”
Russia warned Britain on Monday that if Ukraine uses British weapons to attack Russian territory, Russia could strike back against British military facilities and equipment in Ukraine and elsewhere.
British Ambassador Nigel Casey was summoned to the Foreign Office to lodge a formal protest after Foreign Secretary David Cameron said last week that Ukraine had the right to use British weapons to attack Russia.
Britain denies Casey was summoned, saying he met Russian officials “for a diplomatic meeting” during which he “reiterated support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked aggression.” Stated.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Cameron's comments were an admission that the UK was effectively participating in the conflict, contradicting previous assurances that long-range weapons provided to Ukraine would not be used against Russia. He said it was a thing.
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Russia's Foreign Ministry said: “Mr Casey was warned that in response to a Ukrainian attack on Russian territory with British weapons, all British military facilities and equipment on Ukrainian territory and abroad could be targeted. ” he said.
The ministry said it considered Cameron's comments a serious escalation.
“The Ambassador contemplates the inevitable and disastrous consequences of such hostile measures by London and immediately refutes in the most decisive and clear manner the bellicose and provocative statements of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I was asked to do so.”
During a visit to Kiev last week, Prime Minister David Cameron told Reuters that Ukraine had the right to use British-supplied weapons to attack targets inside Russia and that it was up to Kiev to decide whether to do so.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said on Monday that Mr Casey also reiterated “the UK's position on providing support to Ukraine” in a meeting with Russian officials.