Russia has said it could retaliate against the UK over its support for Kyiv, amid reports that the CIA director warned the Kremlin against attacking Nato during a secretive visit this week, according to the Guardian.
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Key facts
- Russia says it could strike military targets inside and outside Ukraine in retaliation for UK support of Kyiv, according to the Guardian.
- Reports cited by the Guardian indicate the CIA director warned the Kremlin against attacking Nato during a secretive visit this week.
- Andy Burnham, described by the Guardian as Britain's prime minister, said the UK would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to produce Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles.
- Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Britain and France were 'playing with fire'.
Russia has said it could retaliate against the United Kingdom over its support for Kyiv by striking military targets both inside and outside Ukraine, according to the Guardian. The warning comes amid reports that the director of the CIA cautioned the Kremlin against attacking Nato during a secretive visit this week.
The development follows an announcement by Andy Burnham, described by the Guardian as Britain’s prime minister, who said on Monday that the UK would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to begin its own production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles.
Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Thursday that Britain and France were “playing with fire,” according to the Guardian.
Details of the reported CIA visit, including what was discussed and any Kremlin response, have not been confirmed in the available source. Moscow’s threat to strike targets outside Ukraine, combined with its accusation that Britain and France are escalating the situation, reflects rising tension between Russia and European powers backing Kyiv.
Why it matters
The exchange raises the stakes in the war in Ukraine, with Russia threatening to widen the scope of its strikes and the UK saying it will deepen its military support for Kyiv. Reports of a CIA warning against attacking Nato point to concerns that the conflict could draw in the alliance.
Frequently asked questions
What did Russia threaten to do?
According to the Guardian, Russia said it could retaliate against the UK for its support of Kyiv by striking military targets both inside and outside Ukraine.
What did the UK announce about missiles?
Andy Burnham, described as Britain's prime minister, said on Monday the UK would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to start its own production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles.
What did the CIA reportedly do?
Reports cited by the Guardian say the director of the CIA warned the Kremlin against attacking Nato during a secretive visit this week.
Timeline
- Russia says UK ‘playing with fire’ amid reports CIA chief has warned Kremlin not to attack Nato
The Guardian World: Moscow threatens retaliation after Andy Burnham says UK will help Ukraine start producing long-range missiles Russia has said it could retaliate against the UK for its support of Kyiv by striking military targets inside and outside Ukraine, amid reports that the director of the C