The United Kingdom is probably preparing to send long-range missiles to Kyiv. This is reported by the Washington Post.
It is noted that London has become a leader among Western allies in providing new and more advanced weapons systems for Ukraine.
On May 2, in a report on the procurement of the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine, the UK Ministry of Defense filed an expression of interest in providing Kyiv with missiles capable of hitting a target at a distance of up to 300 km.
No final decision has been made, according to a British official, who declined to confirm the type, timing, or quantity of the alleged weapons.
But the report, the newspaper writes, is a significant step toward Britain supplying such munitions itself. The described characteristics almost correspond to the British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The Storm Shadow is an air-launched cruise missile designed to hit highly defended targets from a long distance, Reuters writes.
In early February, the British government first announced a new aid package that included a plan to train Ukrainian pilots in Western-style fighter jets, although no transfer of such aircraft was announced. Also in January, Britain became the first allied country to announce that it would provide Kyiv with Challenger 2 heavy battle tanks.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is currently on a visit to Washington. He is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and congressional leaders to discuss the U.S. and British long-term commitment to Ukraine, according to a government statement.
The visit will emphasize "the UK's efforts to secure a long-term international commitment to Ukraine's emergence from war as a strong, sovereign and free nation," so "James Cleverley will emphasize the importance of a continued united international front to ensure Ukraine's victory."
According to WP, during the Munich Security Conference, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that London was ready to become the first country to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles.
The publication notes that, after the United States, Britain was the second largest provider of military aid to Ukraine – last year the country provided $2.5 billion in defense aid.
Background. As reported, the Netherlands is negotiating to supply Ukraine with F-16s.