Kremlin: Cameron's statement on UK arms supplies to Ukraine 'direct escalation' of tensions

[New Sancai Compilation First] British Foreign Secretary David Cameron quoted a statement from the Kremlin in St. Michael's Golden Dome in Kiev, Ukraine, on Thursday if Ukraine wants to direct tensions surrounding the conflict. In a dangerous escalation, Ukraine could use British weapons to attack targets within Russia.

Cameron pledged on May 2 to provide 3 billion pounds ($3.7 billion) in annual military aid to Ukraine "for as long as it is needed," adding that London had no objection to the use of its weapons in Russia.

"Ukraine has that right," Cameron told Reuters during a visit to Kiev. "Just as Russia has launched attacks inside Ukraine, you can absolutely understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure that it can defend itself."

Russia has used missiles and drones to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure in recent weeks.

Cameron's comments make Britain take a tougher stance on Russia (at least publicly) than the United States, which stipulates that any weapons Britain supplies to Ukraine can only be used within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and cannot be used against targets in Russia.

Ukraine says it uses its own drones and other weapons to launch attacks on targets in Russia, such as oil refineries or railway infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Cameron's comments dangerous.

"This is a direct escalation of tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and could pose a threat to European security and the entire European security architecture," he said.

"This is where we see a dangerous trend of escalating tensions in official statements. This is why we are concerned."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova added: "This is the first time a Western politician has so frankly admitted what has long been a secret known to most of the world: the West is waging a secret war against Russia at the hands of the Ukrainians."

She added that Russia would respond if Ukraine used British weapons to launch an attack on Russian territory.

"How irresponsible and callous it is to not realize the consequences of such remarks, especially when it comes to countries with nuclear weapons," Zakharova told a news conference.

(Compiled by: Wang Jimin)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: Compiled and published by New Sancai)