Lammy criticises 'fascist' Russia and use of Iranian missiles 'changes debate'

The foreign secretary has warned the security of Europe is at stake as optimism grows in Ukraine that it will get the green light to fire long-range missiles into Russia.

- KATE DEVLIN , ASKOLD KRUSHELNYCKY

In what would be a major shift in tactics, Western countries are considering lifting restrictions despite fears over how Putin might retaliate.

On a visit to Kyiv with his US counterpart, David Lammy criticised Russia’s “fascism” and “imperialism”. And he said the West was “listening carefully and ... having discussions on a range of issues including the military equipment that Ukraine needs to win.”

Mr Lammy also said Iran’s delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia “clearly changes the debate” as they would allow Moscow “to have further penetration into Ukraine”.

Ukraine stunned Putin’s administration last month with a series of attacks inside Russian territory. Now it wants to step up that campaign, using missiles including Storm Shadow missiles supplied by Britain.

During a press conference in the Ukrainian capital, Mr Lammy compared Russia’s actions to his own ancestors’ experience of being enslaved.

"Putin’s barbaric actions are the latest example of a very old and evil story,” he said. "One of my ancestors was taken from their home, enslaved, chained on a ship and forced to work for the profit of a foreign empire. He knew only too well what imperialism was.

"No act of authoritarianism is ever exactly the same, but 80 years after Stalin deported the Crimean Tartars, 240 years after Catherine the Great annexed Crimea, (Vladimir) Putin has revealed the same arrogance, the same greed and the same disdain for the rights of others individuals and nations. This is imperialism. This is fascism.”