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

Russia “started” the conflict in Ukraine and could end it “immediately,” Sir Keir Starmer said, after Vladimir Putin suggested Moscow would view the launch of Western missiles at Russia as a serious escalation of the war.

The prime minister 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.

Putin said on Russian state television that this would mean “nothing other than the direct involvement of NATO countries – the US and European countries – in the war in Ukraine.”

“It is their direct involvement. And that, of course, fundamentally changes the essence, the nature of the conflict.”

He added: “If that is the case, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that arise for us.”

When asked to comment on the remarks made on his flight to Washington, the Prime Minister reiterated in a forceful tone that Russia had started the war.

“Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict immediately,” he told reporters, later adding: “To repeat, it was Russia that started the conflict 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 support for Russia.

Lammy told the BBC this “clearly changes the debate” when he visited Kyiv together with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

On Sunday, one day after the Prime Minister returns from Washington, he will fly to Rome to meet with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7 group of industrialized countries.

A week later, the world's heads of state and government will meet in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly.

There was long hesitation in allowing Ukraine to launch Western missiles at Russia, fearing that this could be seen as a provocation and draw the United States, European countries and others directly into the conflict.

But with winter approaching and the additional support Russia is receiving from Iran, Russian attitudes seem to be changing.

Read more about the British-French Storm Shadow cruise missile that could be deployed Here.

When asked about the possibility of approving such missiles, high-ranking politicians continue to express themselves publicly with reservations.

“There are likely to be really important developments in the coming weeks and months, both in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and so a number of tactical decisions will have to be taken,” the prime minister told reporters, without denying that the issue is on the agenda.”

He noted that both US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and David Lammy recently visited Ukraine.

“They are obviously here to report on the process on a really important journey together.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated: “The crucial point is that only soldiers from NATO countries can enter flight orders into these missile systems.

“Ukrainian soldiers cannot do that. Therefore, this is not about allowing or not allowing the Ukrainian regime to attack Russia with these weapons.”

“It is a question of whether the NATO states make the decision to participate directly in the military conflict or not.”

This is the second visit to Washington in just over two months, after travelling here in July for the NATO summit and a visit to the White House shortly after his victory in the parliamentary elections.