"Ukraine will eventually is using British long-range missiles in its war against Russia, despite Vladimir Putin's threats of total war," said General John McCaul, former deputy supreme commander of NATO in Europe, in a televised commentary on the Air Force published in the Independent, FOCUS writes.< /strong>
Talks are continuing with the US and allies to give Kiev permission to use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian air bases and military sites that are being used for attacks on Ukraine.
General Sir John McCall stated: "They must not signal this kind of hesitation and dilemma, they must be firm in the signals we send.
General McCall adds: "We are hesitant, my guess is that eventually they will be granted.
The issue of strikes on Russian territory, in particular with Storm Shadow missiles, was discussed at the meeting between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on September 13.
After the talks, Starmer said the meeting was not about a specific decision on Storm Shadow, although Biden said they would discuss the matter with the British prime minister.
In several publications, Britain's The Guardian reported, citing its sources, that "The US and Britain have decided to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, but have not yet ready to announce this decision".
Storm Shadow is manufactured by a company controlled by British, French and Italian interests, and some of the components are manufactured in the United States, giving the four countries veto power over its use.
On September 11, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Kiev and did not announce permission to use ATACMS deep inside Russian territory, but said the matter had been discussed and he would take what he heard to Washington.
On September 12, Politico reported that the White House was finalizing a plan to ease some restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons.
The Times also reported that Biden could authorize the use of Britain's long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory. On September 13, the NYT wrote that the US president had made up his mind about Storm Shadow, but was still hesitant to use US ATACMS.
Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed European and US officials, that Russia may step up hybrid attacks against NATO countries in response to US and European authorization to use long-range weapons against Russia.