Ukraine-UK talks over Russia to pile on 'tension' over Starmer meeting with Trump
News that UK Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, to discuss how to strike military targets deep inside Russia may add "tension" to Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump tomorrow.
Britain held discussions with Ukraine’s military over striking military targets in Russia, it emerged last night.
The discussion between the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, is thought to have taken place in October, hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky's presented his victory plan during an address to parliament.
But the CDS and Ukraine's Commander in Chief often speak by phone, and experts say news of this intelligence may place extra pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as he flies to Washington DC today ahead of talks with US President Donald Trump.
In a post on the social media network Telegram, Gen Syrski said: “We separately discussed the possibilities of striking the enemy's military targets in operational and strategic depth. Currently, the British side is working on its own proposals within the framework of the practical implementation of the victory plan.”
The UK signed a 100-year “partnership agreement” with Ukraine in January, in which it pledged to continue the supply of military equipment and weapons, train military personnel, and improve the effectiveness of high-tech strike capabilities.
That agreement also provides for strengthened collaboration in the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and the creation of special joint flotillas to bolster security in the Baltic, Black, and Azov Seas, as well as an annual £3billion in aid.
"I drew my British colleague's attention to the cynical violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes by Russian troops, air strikes on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, and indiscriminate massive bombing of civilian targets," the chief added.
Dr Daffyd Townley, of Portsmouth's Military Education Team at RAF College Cranwell, said the revelations will add tension to the PM’s meeting with Trump.
“The UK and Ukraine are strategic defence partners, so it would be no different to us sharing intelligence and information with our Nato partners.
An MOD spokesperson said: “We continue to provide military aid to support Ukraine’s clear right of self-defence against Russia’s illegal attacks in accordance with international humanitarian law.
“We are clear that equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine."
“The is action short of conflict under the laws of armed conflict. It isn't comparable to putting British boots on the ground but probably equates to authorising um the use of British munitions to target Russia.
“That said, Russia is obviously going to view this as a further encroachment. It certainly gives weight to Russia’s claims that the UK, a senior Nato member, has been significantly involved in the conflict, that their concerns about Nato are 100 justified and probably gives Russia an opportunity to play the victim when it comes to the the peace deal.”
He added: “This happened under the Biden administration, when Ukraine as benefiting from US intelligence as well.
“But it will undoubtedly add tension to Starmer’s meeting with Trump tomorrow, and the PM may well have to downplay it. “
