Lord David Cameron has supported Ukrainian strikes against targets inside Russia using British-supplied weapons, arguing Kyiv has a 'right' to use missiles from London as it saw fit.
On a visit to Kyiv today, Lord Cameron said: 'In terms of what the Ukrainians do, in our view, it is their decision about how to use these weapons, they're defending their country, they were illegally invaded by Putin and they must take those steps.
'We don't discuss any caveats that we put on on those things. But let's be absolutely clear, Russia has launched an attack into Ukraine and Ukraine absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia.'
The comments came as the Foreign Secretary promised to provide Ukraine with three billion pounds in aid 'every year for as long as is necessary', while adding that 'we've just really empties all we can in terms of giving equipment'.
The UK has supplied billions of pounds of munitions including long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Volodymyr Zelensky's forces since Putin's 2022 invasion.
![Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron walks past a display of destroyed Russian military vehicles in Saint Michael's Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 2, 2024](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/02/22/84393165-13377483-image-a-1_1714686368006.jpg)
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron walks past a display of destroyed Russian military vehicles in Saint Michael's Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 2, 2024
![The Foreign Secretary said Ukraine was right to launch a strike on targets within Russia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/02/22/84393175-13377483-image-a-2_1714686374873.jpg)
The Foreign Secretary said Ukraine was right to launch a strike on targets within Russia
Lord Cameron visited Ukraine following the Government's announcement that it will commit to at least £3 billion a year in military support to the country.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week announced £500 million ($617 million) in additional military funding for Kyiv with the goal of reaching £3 billion per year.
The Foreign Secretary met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to reiterate the UK's support. He told reporters outside St Michael Cathedral today that it was the largest aid package from the UK so far.
Lord Cameron announced that the UK's donation of military equipment would include the provision of precision-guided bombs, and air defence missiles and equipment for 100 mobile air defence teams to enable Ukraine to shoot down Russia's drones and missiles.
'Some of that (equipment) is actually arriving in Ukraine today, while I'm here,' he said.
Cameron, who led the UK from 2010 and 2016 as prime minister and only returned to frontline politics several months ago, met Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on his second visit to Kyiv as foreign secretary.
Britain's top diplomat celebrated the release of a long-delayed $60 billion aid package by the U.S. Congress.
'It's absolutely crucial, not just in terms of the weapons it will bring, but also the boost to morale that it will bring to people here in Ukraine.'
Britain has also since committed to spending 2.5 per cent on defence as allies in Europe respond to a period of increased global conflict.
During his visit, Cameron also 'revealed that the UK intends to bring international partners together next month to attract additional contributions to the International Fund for Ukraine to meet Ukraine's urgent capability requirements'.
Created in 2022, the fund has so far collected around $1 billion with contributions from Britain, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand.
'This war is the challenge of our generation and Ukraine cannot fight it alone. We must all step up to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to win,' the statement quoted Cameron as saying in Kyiv.
'Through our multi-year military funding, weapons provision and vital support to protect and repair Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.'
![David Cameron (front) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lay flowers at a memorial wall to fallen servicemen, outside St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery on May 2](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/02/23/84393225-13377483-image-a-2_1714688571993.jpg)
David Cameron (front) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lay flowers at a memorial wall to fallen servicemen, outside St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery on May 2
![Ukrainian soldiers fire with mortar during a military training with French servicemen, in a military training compound at an undisclosed location in Poland, on April 4, 2024](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/02/23/84392363-13377483-image-a-3_1714688606285.jpg)
Ukrainian soldiers fire with mortar during a military training with French servicemen, in a military training compound at an undisclosed location in Poland, on April 4, 2024
![A Ukrainian infantry soldier of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade waits to head toward the frontline in the Avdiivka direction, in the Donetsk region, on April 3, 2024](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/02/23/84392369-13377483-image-a-4_1714688609370.jpg)
A Ukrainian infantry soldier of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade waits to head toward the frontline in the Avdiivka direction, in the Donetsk region, on April 3, 2024
France, too, has recently suggested bringing together a coalition of European forces to train together in a move intended to reduce reliance on the US and prepare the continent against external threats.
In an interview published today, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated commitments to sending troops to Ukraine if Russia pushed through the front lines.
The comments, reflective of a recent shift in tone, have been controversial among leaders in Europe and Macron's political rivals at home.