Kyiv expresses frustration as UK-Ukraine ties strain under Labour government

Relations between Ukraine and the UK have worsened since the Labour government took office in July, with officials in Kyiv expressing frustration over Britain’s failure to supply additional long-range missiles.

Ukraine’s main grievance with the UK centres around the lack of new deliveries of Storm Shadow missiles, which were initially supplied by the UK and France but have dwindled in number during 2024, Caliber.Az reports citing The Guardian's analysis.

Ukrainian officials have indicated that this failure to deliver further missiles, crucial for targeting Russian positions, is straining the relationship with London.

“There’s no point in [Keir Starmer] coming as a tourist,” one senior figure in Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration told the Guardian, reflecting growing discontent in Kyiv. The official emphasized that unless Starmer committed to replenishing stocks of the long-range Storm Shadow missiles, a trip to Ukraine would be meaningless. The frustration is compounded by ongoing fears in Kyiv that the election of Donald Trump in the US could lead to a reduction in military support, further complicating Ukraine’s war effort.

Ukraine has struggled to keep up with Russia’s advances, especially in the east, where Russian troops are making rapid progress. Ukrainian commanders have said they are significantly outgunned, a situation made worse by the lack of the advanced weaponry Kyiv has been hoping for from its Western allies, particularly the UK.

The UK’s previous Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a high-profile visit to Kyiv in November 2022, demonstrating a strong commitment to Ukraine's defense. By contrast, Labour’s handling of Ukraine has drawn criticism in Kyiv. Starmer’s reluctance to provide additional Storm Shadow missiles has become a point of contention, with officials saying that the UK’s stance is no longer as supportive as it was under Sunak.

Storm Shadow, a highly accurate cruise missile developed through Anglo-French collaboration, has been vital for Ukraine in striking Russian military assets, including naval targets in Crimea. However, Ukraine has not launched any new Storm Shadow strikes since October, highlighting the dearth of new supplies from the UK.

During a meeting in Budapest on November 7, Starmer told Zelenskyy that the UK’s support for Ukraine remained “unwavering” and acknowledged that Britain needed to “step up.” However, Zelenskyy pointed to the missile issue in a social media post, emphasizing that long-range weaponry was essential to Ukraine's strategy.

Private sources in Kyiv expressed disappointment that the Budapest meeting led to no progress on the missile issue, noting that Starmer’s proposed visit to Ukraine had been postponed multiple times since August. “There’s no point in his coming as a tourist. He’s not willing to take the decisions necessary,” the official said.

Downing Street responded by reiterating that the UK’s support for Ukraine was steadfast and emphasized the numerous meetings between Starmer and Zelenskyy since Labour took power.

Meanwhile, Starmer’s appointment of Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair’s former chief of staff, as national security adviser has raised concerns. Powell has long advocated for negotiating with enemies, leading some experts to worry that this could push Kyiv into considering a truce with Russia.

As the war in Ukraine continues to intensify, especially with North Korean soldiers now reportedly joining the conflict on Russia's side, Zelenskyy has urged his allies to approve long-range strikes to prevent further casualties and to disrupt the growing threat from North Korean forces.

By Tamilla Hasanova