The United Kingdom and France are open to Ukraine using its missiles on Russian territory. international

The British and French governments have been forced to maintain coherence in their discourse while avoiding direct confrontation with United States President-elect Donald Trump. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, have both congratulated themselves on White House chief of staff Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use American ATACMS missiles until January 20. against Russian territory. Moreover, Macron and, to a lesser extent, Starmer have signaled that they are willing to follow Biden’s lead and increase military engagement with Kiev.

Trump’s party has strongly criticized the announcement, although he himself has avoided any explicit mention of the matter. London and Paris strongly advocate that Kiev be provided with everything it needs to respond strongly to Moscow’s aggression, and thus be able to consolidate its position of strength in future negotiations.

In May, Macron declared himself open to the possibility that Ukrainian forces could launch attacks on Russian territory with Anglo-French-made long-range Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles. “I think we should allow them (Ukrainians) to neutralize those (Russian) military bases from which missiles are fired and, basically, military sites from which Ukraine is attacked, but we Hitting other targets in Russia should not be allowed. ”, he said then.

The French President has always been in favor of keeping an eye on Russia and Vladimir Putin regarding arms shipments and widespread permission for their use. A few weeks ago the taboo around intense attacks began to be broken among presidential advisers, who began talking openly about it. Biden’s go-ahead at the Elysee has been well received.

“I think it (Washington’s authorities) have also caused a deeper change in this conflict, which should not be underestimated, and that is the fact that North Korean troops have been involved with Russia in the European region,” He said. Macron in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, hours before holding a new G-20 meeting.

Macron thus justified increased pressure on Russia from the G-20 due to the emergence of new unexpected factors. “The only power escalating this conflict today is Russia, which is taking North Korea to its side, a country that is, as we know, a very aggressive power committed to a nuclear program and very long-range missiles. Is. So, it is really a pause in this war that has led the Americans to take this decision,” he said.

Macron’s stance has always been in favor of increasing the pressure of war in the region. In fact, a few months ago he even hinted at the possibility of sending European troops to Ukrainian territory.

“Whatever Ukraine needs”

Starmer has handled his words a little more carefully, aware that Trump’s entourage has spoken harshly against Biden’s decision, and that he will have to maintain the defense alliance for the next four years.

Asked pointedly whether he would give Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky his authority to launch Storm missiles against Russian targets, Starmer hid behind the argument that he did not want to publicly discuss the operational details of the war effort. were going, but they have done so to make clear their support for increased military aid and Ukrainian response capability. “We have been with Ukraine from the beginning and these days I have doubled down on our message that we have to make sure that Ukraine is able to confront Putin for as long as it takes,” Starmer said in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. “Ukraine has everything it needs.” janeiro.

The British Prime Minister has also reacted with particular harshness to the nuclear threats made by Putin in recent hours: “The irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia is in no way going to stop our support for Ukraine, ” Starmer said. “The fastest way to end this conflict is for Russia to stop its aggression. The simplest and quickest,” the Labor leader reiterated in statements to the BBC.

A senior European source has indicated to EL PAÍS that there is already a discreet consensus to allow Kiev to use the missiles.

London’s desire to follow in the footsteps of the US administration was expressed more clearly a few hours ago by Maria Eagle, the British Secretary of State for Defence, who appeared this Monday in the House of Commons to answer a session of questions from opposition parties. Happened. Modernization of British air and missile defense systems.

“Would the UK align itself with the US, preferably in coordination with our European allies, but if necessary bilaterally with the US, to allow Ukraine to use missile defense systems supplied to them by us, Do you think it is suitable for you? Defence?” Conservative deputy Roger Gale asked the Secretary of State directly. “Absolutely. “Our intention is to join with our allies to ensure that Ukraine can utilize the full range of capabilities that have been offered to it by all those who have committed to supporting that country in its fight,” Eagle responded. Gave.

Although Kiev has rushed to launch the first strike this Tuesday with two US ATACMS missiles against a Russian weapons depot in the Karachay municipality, more than 115 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, defense experts believe That Zelensky’s troops will not immediately use Storm Shadow. Scalp Missiles.

Both Germany and Italy are firmly against using Kiev-provided weapons – in Berlin’s case, Taurus missiles – outside Ukrainian territory, a clear sign of the divisions that have emerged in the EU over support for Ukraine. Both Biden’s decision and Trump’s election have contributed to exacerbating these divisions.