Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky in Hungary this week (Image: Getty)
Ukraine’s relationship with the UK has “got worse” since Labour took office in July, Ukrainian officials have claimed, with one suggesting it was pointless for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to visit their country as a “tourist”.
The frustration stems from the UK government’s reticence regarding the provision of additional long-range missiles.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia?
565 Comments
Russia delighted as ‘useful' Donald Trump re-elected - but could he end Ukraine war?
154 Comments
POLL: Are you scared Vladimir Putin may win the war in Ukraine? Vote here
66 Comments
How Ukraine's path to the EU could about to be hastened under Donald Trump
42 Comments
Sorry Donald! The 6 Labour giants who will be regretting these brutal words on Trump
168 Comments
Nigel Farage makes surprise offer to Keir Starmer after Donald Trump's election win
216 Comments
The seaside city of 3m that's one of Africa's largest but way too dangerous for tourists
Comments
Third Salisbury poisonings suspect sanctioned by UK as it 'fights Russian malign activity'
6 Comments
Former MI6 chief reveals how Donald Trump could handle Russia, Iran and Europe
169 Comments
Russia suffers worst-ever month in war as new videos show Ukraine humiliating Putin's army
9 Comments
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump 'fondly' recall September meeting in first call
81 Comments
What Donald Trump's win means for Ukraine, Putin, Israel and Hamas
20 Comments
Ukrainian unit 'wipes out 206 Russian vehicles in outnumbered battle' with Putin's troops
193 Comments
What Keir Starmer could learn from Donald Trump's second term in office
49 Comments
Keir Starmer undermines Donald Trump just hours after he becomes US President
535 Comments
Keir Starmer humiliated as Hungarian PM greets every leader except him at major summit
948 Comments
Donald Trump adviser's brutal three-word verdict on Ukraine's plan for Crimea
103 Comments
British troops could be ordered to enforce buffer zone in Donald Trump Ukraine peace plan
228 Comments
Vladimir Putin sidekick Orban brands Ukraine's conflict a 'lost war' amid ominous warning
12 Comments
Kremlin rubbishes Trump pledge to end Russia-Ukraine war in 24hrs as new plan 'unveiled'
6 Comments
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia?
565 Comments
Russia delighted as ‘useful' Donald Trump re-elected - but could he end Ukraine war?
154 Comments
POLL: Are you scared Vladimir Putin may win the war in Ukraine? Vote here
66 Comments
How Ukraine's path to the EU could about to be hastened under Donald Trump
42 Comments
Sorry Donald! The 6 Labour giants who will be regretting these brutal words on Trump
168 Comments
Nigel Farage makes surprise offer to Keir Starmer after Donald Trump's election win
216 Comments
The seaside city of 3m that's one of Africa's largest but way too dangerous for tourists
Comments
Third Salisbury poisonings suspect sanctioned by UK as it 'fights Russian malign activity'
6 Comments
Former MI6 chief reveals how Donald Trump could handle Russia, Iran and Europe
169 Comments
Russia suffers worst-ever month in war as new videos show Ukraine humiliating Putin's army
9 Comments
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump 'fondly' recall September meeting in first call
81 Comments
What Donald Trump's win means for Ukraine, Putin, Israel and Hamas
20 Comments
Ukrainian unit 'wipes out 206 Russian vehicles in outnumbered battle' with Putin's troops
193 Comments
What Keir Starmer could learn from Donald Trump's second term in office
49 Comments
Keir Starmer undermines Donald Trump just hours after he becomes US President
535 Comments
Keir Starmer humiliated as Hungarian PM greets every leader except him at major summit
948 Comments
Donald Trump adviser's brutal three-word verdict on Ukraine's plan for Crimea
103 Comments
British troops could be ordered to enforce buffer zone in Donald Trump Ukraine peace plan
228 Comments
Vladimir Putin sidekick Orban brands Ukraine's conflict a 'lost war' amid ominous warning
12 Comments
Kremlin rubbishes Trump pledge to end Russia-Ukraine war in 24hrs as new plan 'unveiled'
6 Comments
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia?
565 Comments
Russia delighted as ‘useful' Donald Trump re-elected - but could he end Ukraine war?
154 Comments
POLL: Are you scared Vladimir Putin may win the war in Ukraine? Vote here
66 Comments
How Ukraine's path to the EU could about to be hastened under Donald Trump
42 Comments
Sorry Donald! The 6 Labour giants who will be regretting these brutal words on Trump
168 Comments
Nigel Farage makes surprise offer to Keir Starmer after Donald Trump's election win
216 Comments
The seaside city of 3m that's one of Africa's largest but way too dangerous for tourists
Comments
In particular, there is dismay at Keir Starmer’s apparent hesitation to authorise new supplies of Storm Shadow missiles, which Kyiv has heavily relied on in targeting Russian positions.
In a likely reference to Sir Keir’s delay in visiting Ukraine despite recent meetings with Mr Zelensky in Europe, the insider told The Guardian: “There’s no point in his coming as a tourist.”
With specific reference to missiles, they added, “It isn’t happening. Starmer isn’t giving us long-range weapons.
READ MORE: Macron sends signal to Trump as he drops strong European army hint
Royal Air Force tornado jets laden with Storm Shadows take off from RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
"The situation is not the same as when Rishi Sunak was prime minister. The relationship has got worse.”
Four months into his term, Sir Keir is yet to travel to Ukraine, a delay which Kyiv is believed to see as symbolic of broader indecision over military support.
British Storm Shadows, highly accurate and capable of striking targets from over 150 miles away, have been a vital asset in Ukraine’s efforts to target Russian strongholds, including those in occupied Crimea.
However, officials in Ukraine say they have not received fresh supplies of these missiles for months, noting that if new stock had been sent, they “would be using them to hit Russian targets.”
Don't miss...
Vladimir Putin sidekick Orban brands Ukraine's conflict a 'lost war' [INSIGHT]
Donald Trump could give Ukraine go ahead to launch missiles at Russia [ANALYSIS]
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia? [PICTURES]
The war hasn't stopped while new decisions are awaited.
Every day, there are heavy battles on the Ukrainian frontlines and strikes on our civilians.
Russia hasn't stopped to wait for negotiations, it has increased its pressure to capture as much Ukrainian territory and inflict… https://t.co/iF0XZQ1Lm0
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 9, 2024
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The failure to resupply Kyiv has left Ukrainian officials dubious about London’s willingness to support their resistance to Russia, particularly given the changing global political landscape.
Writing on X, Anton Gerashchenko, a former advisor to the Ukrainian interior ministry, said: "The war hasn't stopped while new decisions are awaited.
"Every day, there are heavy battles on the Ukrainian frontlines and strikes on our civilians.
"Russia hasn't stopped to wait for negotiations, it has increased its pressure to capture as much Ukrainian territory and inflict as much damage as it can."
Volodymyr Zelensky pictured with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. (Image: Getty)
Trending
Neither had Russia's allies frozen their aid, he pointed out and continued to end both ammunition and soldiers, a likely reference to the deployment of North Korean troops.
He added: "Ukraine has become the arena of a geopolitical battle.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia?
565 Comments
Russia delighted as ‘useful' Donald Trump re-elected - but could he end Ukraine war?
154 Comments
POLL: Are you scared Vladimir Putin may win the war in Ukraine? Vote here
66 Comments
How Ukraine's path to the EU could about to be hastened under Donald Trump
42 Comments
Sorry Donald! The 6 Labour giants who will be regretting these brutal words on Trump
168 Comments
Nigel Farage makes surprise offer to Keir Starmer after Donald Trump's election win
216 Comments
The seaside city of 3m that's one of Africa's largest but way too dangerous for tourists
Comments
Third Salisbury poisonings suspect sanctioned by UK as it 'fights Russian malign activity'
6 Comments
Former MI6 chief reveals how Donald Trump could handle Russia, Iran and Europe
169 Comments
Russia suffers worst-ever month in war as new videos show Ukraine humiliating Putin's army
9 Comments
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump 'fondly' recall September meeting in first call
81 Comments
What Donald Trump's win means for Ukraine, Putin, Israel and Hamas
20 Comments
Ukrainian unit 'wipes out 206 Russian vehicles in outnumbered battle' with Putin's troops
193 Comments
What Keir Starmer could learn from Donald Trump's second term in office
49 Comments
Keir Starmer undermines Donald Trump just hours after he becomes US President
535 Comments
Keir Starmer humiliated as Hungarian PM greets every leader except him at major summit
948 Comments
Donald Trump adviser's brutal three-word verdict on Ukraine's plan for Crimea
103 Comments
British troops could be ordered to enforce buffer zone in Donald Trump Ukraine peace plan
228 Comments
Vladimir Putin sidekick Orban brands Ukraine's conflict a 'lost war' amid ominous warning
12 Comments
Kremlin rubbishes Trump pledge to end Russia-Ukraine war in 24hrs as new plan 'unveiled'
6 Comments
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia?
565 Comments
Russia delighted as ‘useful' Donald Trump re-elected - but could he end Ukraine war?
154 Comments
POLL: Are you scared Vladimir Putin may win the war in Ukraine? Vote here
66 Comments
How Ukraine's path to the EU could about to be hastened under Donald Trump
42 Comments
Sorry Donald! The 6 Labour giants who will be regretting these brutal words on Trump
168 Comments
Nigel Farage makes surprise offer to Keir Starmer after Donald Trump's election win
216 Comments
The seaside city of 3m that's one of Africa's largest but way too dangerous for tourists
Comments
Third Salisbury poisonings suspect sanctioned by UK as it 'fights Russian malign activity'
6 Comments
Former MI6 chief reveals how Donald Trump could handle Russia, Iran and Europe
169 Comments
Russia suffers worst-ever month in war as new videos show Ukraine humiliating Putin's army
9 Comments
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump 'fondly' recall September meeting in first call
81 Comments
What Donald Trump's win means for Ukraine, Putin, Israel and Hamas
20 Comments
Ukrainian unit 'wipes out 206 Russian vehicles in outnumbered battle' with Putin's troops
193 Comments
What Keir Starmer could learn from Donald Trump's second term in office
49 Comments
Keir Starmer undermines Donald Trump just hours after he becomes US President
535 Comments
Keir Starmer humiliated as Hungarian PM greets every leader except him at major summit
948 Comments
Donald Trump adviser's brutal three-word verdict on Ukraine's plan for Crimea
103 Comments
British troops could be ordered to enforce buffer zone in Donald Trump Ukraine peace plan
228 Comments
Vladimir Putin sidekick Orban brands Ukraine's conflict a 'lost war' amid ominous warning
12 Comments
Kremlin rubbishes Trump pledge to end Russia-Ukraine war in 24hrs as new plan 'unveiled'
6 Comments
Will Donald Trump come to UK's defence if we're drawn into war with Russia?
565 Comments
Russia delighted as ‘useful' Donald Trump re-elected - but could he end Ukraine war?
154 Comments
POLL: Are you scared Vladimir Putin may win the war in Ukraine? Vote here
66 Comments
How Ukraine's path to the EU could about to be hastened under Donald Trump
42 Comments
Sorry Donald! The 6 Labour giants who will be regretting these brutal words on Trump
168 Comments
Nigel Farage makes surprise offer to Keir Starmer after Donald Trump's election win
216 Comments
The seaside city of 3m that's one of Africa's largest but way too dangerous for tourists
Comments
"We are paying the largest price possible - the lives of our people and destruction of our country.
"A strong Ukraine defending the European continent from the threat of war is a common interest if we want peace in Europe and wish to stop Russia."
A No 10 spokesperson said: “One of the prime minister’s first decisions in office was to commit to spending ￡3bn on support for Ukraine every year – since then, the prime minister has met President Zelensky six times, including hosting him at No 10 twice, and meeting him at the European political community meeting in Hungary this week.”