Keir Starmer has cautioned against allowing the conflict in the Middle East to benefit Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister expressed concerns while announcing that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will be visiting the UK.
During a parliamentary session, Mr. Healey disclosed that the UK has provided Ukraine with 3,500 drones, 18,000 artillery rounds, and three million rounds of small ammunition in the past month. He emphasized the importance of standing by Ukraine in the face of conflicts on two continents with similar aggressive tactics and technologies.
The UK remains resolute in supporting Ukraine and will host President Zelensky. Starmer emphasized the need for allies to stay focused on backing Ukraine amid the ongoing US-Israeli clash with Iran, warning against inadvertently aiding Putin through the Gulf conflict.
The surge in energy prices resulting from the Middle East crisis has inadvertently benefited Putin despite global sanctions. The US temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil last week, allowing countries to purchase oil already loaded on vessels at sea.
The disruptions in global supplies due to Iran’s actions in the Gulf and chaos in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified pressure. Starmer stated that the UK is collaborating with European partners to devise a collective strategy to reopen the crucial oil shipping route.
Following President Trump’s warning about Nato’s future, the UK is engaging with allies to develop a plan for restoring navigation freedom in the region. The PM stressed the need for a consensus among partners before making any decisions.
The UK is committed to avoiding entanglement in broader Middle East conflicts and is striving for a swift resolution.