Russia issues ominous response to NATO member's "dangerous" Ukraine push

The Context

The exchange marks the latest escalation in the war of words between Moscow and Western leaders and officials over Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The U.K. is one of Europe's top suppliers of military assistance to Ukraine in the war. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to continue supporting Kyiv "for as long as it takes."

What We Know

Speaking with Reuters, Cameron, who served as U.K. prime minister from 2010 to 2016, said Ukraine should be allowed to use weapons provided by London to strike targets on Russian soil.

"Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it's defending itself," Cameron said.

"Another very dangerous statement," Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, told RIA Novosti, Russia's state news agency, referencing Cameron's remarks.

"We see such a verbal escalation on the part of official representatives. We also see at the level of heads of state—when it concerns France, and at a more expert level—when it concerns Great Britain.

"These are direct escalations of tension around the Ukrainian conflict, which potentially may pose a danger to European security, to the entire security architecture of Europe," Peskov said.

"This is part of a dangerous trend of escalating tension through official statements, and is the cause for our concern," the spokesperson added.

Sunak, on April 24, said that the U.K. was putting its defense industry on a "war footing" as he pledged a fresh military package worth £500 million ($620 million) for Ukraine that includes 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 munitions and 4 million rounds of ammunition.

"In a world that is the most dangerous it has been since the end of the Cold War, we cannot be complacent," Sunak told reporters during a press briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Poland. "As our adversaries align, we must do more to defend our country, our interests and our values."

Views

Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of the city of Lviv in Western Ukraine, said on X, formerly Twitter, that Cameron's remarks on the use of British weapons in Russia "bolster our hopes."

What's Next?

Cameron has stressed the importance of Ukraine winning the war.

"A future in which Putin is successful and Ukraine is pushed back is, I think, a very dangerous future," he said during his visit to Kyiv. "I think we are at an absolutely crucial tipping point in global affairs."

Cameron said that the U.K. would provide Ukraine with aid for "as long as it takes."

"We will give £3 billion every year for as long as is necessary. We've just really emptied all we can in terms of giving equipment," he added.

Do you have a tip on a world news story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Russia-Ukraine war? Let us know via worldnews@newsweek.com.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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