The only country waging war in Europe is Russia, British Defense Secretary John Healy has said, rejecting Russian claims that the UK is involved in a “proxy” conflict in Ukraine, reported DPA, quoted by BTA.
Andrei Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, said in a BBC broadcast: “My government firmly believes that the UK government is waging an aggressive war against Russia with the help of the Ukrainians. This is a puppet war waged by the UK government by providing lethal weapons with which the UK government kills Russian soldiers and civilians.“ He added: “I think you are being aggressive and waging a proxy war against Russia”.
In response to these claims, the British Defense Secretary said: “There is only one country waging war in Europe, and that is Russia with its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Putin can stop this war tomorrow by stepping down. In the meantime, we will do our best to stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary.
The British minister's statement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented world leaders with a victory plan to try to end the conflict sparked by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Russian ambassador in London, Zelensky is “desperate“ and must negotiate with Russia. “He fully understands that he is losing not only ground, but also the conflict. I wouldn't say that tomorrow they will surrender - they still continue to resist, but the resistance is weaker, said the Russian diplomat.
Earlier this week, the British Defense Minister reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine. He said: “We, as supporters of Ukraine, must do everything we can to increase our support for Ukraine in the coming weeks and months, to put more pressure on Russia to ensure that Ukraine can win, because the defense of Europe starts from Ukraine".
„They are fighting for the same values, the same beliefs and the same freedoms that we value, and we have a duty to support them for as long as necessary,” Healy added.
Earlier this month, Zelensky presented his “plan for victory” of Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to London. The plan was presented at a time when Zelensky is demanding that London give Ukraine permission to use the Storm Shadow missiles. for striking targets in Russia.
In tripartite talks at "Downing Street" the British Prime Minister, the Ukrainian President and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed the situation in Ukraine. Rutte stated that there is no legal reason to prevent the use of Western-supplied weapons against targets in Russia, but added that decisions in this direction should be made by individual countries, DPA recalls.