European summit in Great Britain: Selenskyj wants allies to shoot down Russian missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the European summit in Great Britain to once again reinforce his call for more support in fending off Russian air strikes.

At the meeting of nearly 50 heads of state and government near Oxford, he urged Western allies to use their own resources to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine. “There must be a collective will to shoot them down, just as there was with Iranian missiles and drones (at Israel),” he said.

Missiles and drones are not carriers of state sovereignty

Zelensky stressed that, in his view, this would not be an attack on Russia. Missiles and drones are not carriers of state sovereignty. “These steps must be taken,” said Zelensky, addressing the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany and Poland directly. “Your courage can be decisive for peace.”

In April, a major Iranian attack of over 300 missiles and drones on Israel was repelled with the help of US, British and French fighter jets and air defense systems.

Scholz draws two red lines

Chancellor Olaf Scholz immediately rejected the demand. He also again rejected Zelensky’s request to lift the restrictions on the use of supplied Western weapons against Russian territory. When asked whether he agreed with the other NATO states on these points, Scholz said at a press conference: “I see such a consensus that such steps are out of the question, and the USA is also very clear on this.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also rejected the shooting down of Russian missiles by NATO states. “We will not become a party to the conflict. That is why we support Ukraine in destroying Russian aircraft, but NATO will not be directly involved,” the Norwegian stressed last week.

At the summit, Zelensky reiterated that he would like to use Western weapons to target military airfields on Russian territory from which Ukraine is being attacked. “The fewer restrictions we have on the use of weapons, the more Russia will strive for peace,” Zelensky warned.

Great Britain against restrictions on the use of weapons

He received support from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “It is important that Ukraine makes its own decisions about its operations while it is waging this war and its young men and women are on the front line,” the Labour politician said in an interview with the German Press Agency when asked whether he was in favour of a blanket lifting of restrictions on the use of Western weapons.

At the end of May, the USA, Germany and other allies allowed Ukraine to attack positions on Russian territory in order to protect the metropolis of Kharkiv. But Scholz does not want to go any further. “Nobody is planning to change the current standards and guidelines – for good reason,” he said last week at the end of the NATO summit.

Russia and Belarus not included

The summit of the European Political Community (EPC) took place at the birthplace of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, near the famous university city of Oxford.

Two years ago – shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine – the 27 states of the European Union joined forces with other countries on the continent that share their values ​​in this informal group. Russia and Belarus are not part of it. They will remain excluded from the fourth summit of this kind.

The participants were also joined in the afternoon by Britain’s King Charles III, who hosted a reception in the magnificent library of the castle.

As at previous summits, the Russian war of aggression was the dominant topic. At the summit, Ukraine signed additional security agreements with the Czech Republic and Slovenia, initially valid for ten years. The attacked country had previously concluded similar agreements with almost two dozen states, including Germany, and also with the EU. They primarily serve to perpetuate the military and financial aid already granted, but do not provide the country with any security guarantees.

Starmer wants a new start in relations with Europe

The host, Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, promised Ukraine lasting support. “Make no doubt: we will stand by your side as long as it is necessary,” he said, addressing Zelensky.

For Starmer, who was elected to office just over two weeks ago, it was the second opportunity after the NATO summit to prove himself on a major international stage. He is keen to repair relations with European partners after the Brexit years.

There is talk of a new start in the relationship with Europe after the difficult Brexit years. He hopes that this will not only provide economic stimulus but also help in the fight against smuggling gangs that send migrants on the dangerous journey across the English Channel in small boats.

Orban advocates peace negotiations

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who recently caused displeasure among EU partners with his trip to Moscow and Beijing, continued his call for peace negotiations at the summit. “I believe there is no solution to this conflict on the battlefield,” he said.

Scholz stressed again that Orban had travelled to Russia and China on his own account. “If someone travels to other countries as head of government of his country, then that’s fine. But he is not then representing the European Union.”