\n
An agenda for the Downing Street talks has not been made public, but Rutte said the parties discussed the use of British-supplied missiles on Russian territory.<\/p>\n
Zelensky has repeatedly pressed allies for his forces to be allowed to target Russian military logistic targets deep inside Russia using Storm Shadow missiles but has so far been frustrated in his efforts. The US also needs to give permission for the missiles to be used inside Russia.<\/p>\n
Rutte, when asked whether he would support such use, said that legally, Ukraine is allowed to use its weapons if they can hit targets in Russia that present a threat to Ukraine, but the decision was not up to him.<\/p>\n
“That is up to the individual allies to decide how weapons they deliver into Ukraine can be used,” he said.<\/p>\n
There is support in Whitehall for lifting the restrictions on the use of the Storm Shadow missiles but the government does not want to go it alone. <\/p>\n
The US has yet to give the green light and Germany is also opposed.<\/p>\n
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear he would consider the move an escalation and there is concern among Nato countries about risking a Kremlin response.<\/p>\n
Ukraine had hoped a planned summit later this week in Ramstein, Germany, which was set to bring the country’s biggest military backers together, would yield movement on the use of long-range missiles.<\/p>\n
But that summit has been delayed because US President Joe Biden is unable to attend while he oversees the emergency response to Hurricane Milton, which has caused widespread damage in Florida.<\/p>\n
Russia has made modest but strategically important gains on the battlefield in recent weeks, though a decisive breakthrough from either side remains elusive.<\/p>\n
Zelensky is keenly aware that US support for Ukraine may cool if Trump returns to the White House, which would leave Ukraine more dependent on European allies like the UK.<\/p>\n
That could test the West’s stamina as the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, with growing questions around war fatigue and the West\u2019s long-term support.<\/p>\n
Rutte, when asked his concerns about a potential Trump presidency, told the BBC that the former president is “fully aware of the fact that for the US to stay safe, that Nato membership… is crucial”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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