Dmitri Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesperson, criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement about Ukraine's potential use of UK Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory as an 'irresponsible step' on Wednesday.
"We haven't seen [Starmer's statement] yet, but this is another completely irresponsible step towards raising tensions and seriously escalating the situation," he said.
During an interview with journalists, the new British PM - who was elected just last Friday - said the country's policy had not changed and that it was up to Ukraine to decide how to use the long-range weaponry.
The UK, US, Germany and other EU countries have backed Ukraine's right to use Western weaponry on Russian territory. Some have given Kiev explicit permission to use their own military equipment for the purpose, while others have given 'qualified' permission.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell called Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to hit military facilities in Russia 'legitimate action under international law' if the strikes were launched 'in a proportionate manner', while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said "Ukraine has the right of self-defence" and that "some allies have never imposed any restrictions" on strikes inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of serious consequences following the announcements.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
'Irresponsible step towards raising tensions' - Peskov after new UK PM 'greenlights' Storm Shadow strikes on Russia
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesperson, criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement about Ukraine's potential use of UK Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory as an 'irresponsible step' on Wednesday.
"We haven't seen [Starmer's statement] yet, but this is another completely irresponsible step towards raising tensions and seriously escalating the situation," he said.
During an interview with journalists, the new British PM - who was elected just last Friday - said the country's policy had not changed and that it was up to Ukraine to decide how to use the long-range weaponry.
The UK, US, Germany and other EU countries have backed Ukraine's right to use Western weaponry on Russian territory. Some have given Kiev explicit permission to use their own military equipment for the purpose, while others have given 'qualified' permission.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell called Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to hit military facilities in Russia 'legitimate action under international law' if the strikes were launched 'in a proportionate manner', while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said "Ukraine has the right of self-defence" and that "some allies have never imposed any restrictions" on strikes inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of serious consequences following the announcements.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesperson, criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement about Ukraine's potential use of UK Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory as an 'irresponsible step' on Wednesday.
"We haven't seen [Starmer's statement] yet, but this is another completely irresponsible step towards raising tensions and seriously escalating the situation," he said.
During an interview with journalists, the new British PM - who was elected just last Friday - said the country's policy had not changed and that it was up to Ukraine to decide how to use the long-range weaponry.
The UK, US, Germany and other EU countries have backed Ukraine's right to use Western weaponry on Russian territory. Some have given Kiev explicit permission to use their own military equipment for the purpose, while others have given 'qualified' permission.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell called Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to hit military facilities in Russia 'legitimate action under international law' if the strikes were launched 'in a proportionate manner', while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said "Ukraine has the right of self-defence" and that "some allies have never imposed any restrictions" on strikes inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of serious consequences following the announcements.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.