Concerns Rise Over UK’s Diminishing Support for Ukraine Under Starmer’s Leadership
Momentum concerning support for Ukraine appears to be waning, following the election of Labour’s Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, according to former Tory Defence Minister Sir Ben Wallace. In a recent BBC Radio 4 interview, Wallace highlighted concerns expressed by officials in Kyiv, who assert that Britain’s commitment to Ukraine has decreased since Starmer took office.
Wallace pointed to a sentiment within the Foreign Office that reflects a reluctance to lead internationally. He noted that he has frequently been advised by Foreign Office officials to avoid taking a forward-leading role, indicating a desire to align closely with other nations instead of spearheading initiatives. This lack of proactive leadership, he remarked, contributes to a noticeable diminishing of the momentum that had characterized Britain’s support for Ukraine during the previous Conservative government.
Four months after taking office, Starmer has yet to visit Ukraine, which has raised eyebrows within Zelenskyy's government. A senior official from Kyiv expressed frustration over the UK’s failure to provide additional long-range missiles, signaling a critical shift in the relationship dynamics compared to when Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister. "It isn't happening. Starmer isn't giving us long-range weapons. The situation is not the same as before. The relationship has got worse," the official stated.
Amidst these concerns, there are fears in Ukraine about potentially diminishing military aid from the US should Donald Trump win the presidency again. Consequently, there is an urgent appeal for Starmer to commit to replenishing stocks of the highly sought-after Storm Shadow missile system, characterized for its accuracy and long range.
Wallace articulated that the impetus for the previous Conservative government’s support stemmed from a desire to demonstrate leadership on the global stage. He remarked, "We took a position to lead, and the leadership did bring lots of Europeans with us. I definitely have a sense that that momentum has dropped back."
He emphasized that sustained efforts are necessary for driving change within government policies. "You have to really do it every single day. You can't just do a statement and then float around," he remarked.
Additionally, Wallace criticized the current bureaucratic inertia within the Foreign Office, noting that companies seeking to export equipment to assist Ukraine have faced delays of up to six months for license approvals. He suggested that such delays do not reflect a government truly committed to supporting Ukraine's defense.
Earlier this week, in a meeting in Budapest, Starmer reiterated the UK's steadfast commitment to Ukraine, stating, "It's very important that we see this through. It's very important that we stand with you.” However, the tangible support on the ground appears to be lagging as the influx of Storm Shadow missiles, which are crucial for Ukraine's operational capacity against Russian forces, has notably slowed.
The last reported use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine was on October 5, suggesting a troubling decrease in strikes aimed at Russian military assets. A Kyiv official reiterated, "You would know if the UK had provided us with new Storm Shadow missiles because we would be using them to hit Russian targets. We are not."
Notably, Storm Shadow missiles, despite their high effectiveness against static targets—including Russian naval installations in Crimea—carry an estimated cost of 800,000 each, raising additional concerns regarding resource allocation and financial support.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, and with a shifting political tide in the US potentially influencing Ukrainian aid, the pressure is mounting on Starmer's government to reassess and reinforce its commitment to supporting Ukraine in this critical moment of conflict.
Related Sources: