Russia may view UK's Ukraine stance as war participation, says Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that Britain's steadfast support for Ukraine could be interpreted by Moscow as direct participation in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking on state television, Lavrov expressed sympathy for the United Kingdom's commitment, stating, "I feel sorry for the United Kingdom, when it says it will be with Ukraine until the end." He recalled President Vladimir Putin's previous warnings that Russia would act if its interests were threatened.

Lavrov asserted that Russia has the right to view Britain's "proudly declared" involvement of its missile forces in attacks against Russia as "London's participation in the war" in Ukraine, implying all associated consequences.

These remarks follow British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's reaffirmation of the UK's "100%" support for Ukraine. Burnham defended the long-standing British policy of aiding Ukraine's self-defense, a stance maintained since the conflict began in 2022. The Russian embassy in London had previously accused Britain of deliberately escalating the crisis and acting as an accomplice in alleged "bloody crimes and terrorist attacks."