Russia can end war now, says British PM, as Putin warns West

(MENAFN- AzerNews) Russia started the conflict in Ukraine and can end it “immediately,” said British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Azernews Reports related to BBC.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had indicated that Moscow would view Western missile attacks on Russia as a serious escalation of the war. Putin said on Russian state television that this would mean “nothing other than the direct involvement of NATO countries – the United States and European countries – in the war in Ukraine.”

Sir Keir is in Washington on Friday for talks with US President Joe Biden as Kyiv's allies discuss giving Ukraine permission to fire its missiles at targets in Russia. “It is their direct involvement,” he said. “And of course this significantly changes the essence, the nature of the conflict.”

He added: “If that is the case, we will take appropriate decisions based on the threats that arise for us.” When asked for his response to the remarks on his flight to Washington, the Prime Minister reiterated in a robust tone that Russia started the war.

“Russia started this conflict. Russia invaded Ukraine illegally. Russia can end this conflict immediately,” he said.

He later added: “To repeat, it was Russia that started this in the first place. They caused the conflict, they are the ones who are acting unlawfully.”

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy are conducting a blitz of international diplomacy as Ukraine's allies debate how to respond to Iran's increased arms support to Russia.

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