Russian MFA summons British charge d'affaires over weapons supplies to Kiev - TASS

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned British Charge d’Affaires Danae Dholakia over London’s growing weapons supplies to Kiev, the ministry said in a statement.

"On September 18, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned British Charge d’Affaires Danae Dholakia to lodge a strong protest against London’s continued increase in supplies of drones and other weapons to the Kiev regime," the statement reads.

During the demarche, Russia emphasized that "the highly confrontational Ukraine policy the United Kingdom pursues is clearly aimed at prolonging and escalating the conflict to the greatest extent possible and is only weakening the prospects for a political settlement."

"It was pointed out that through large-scale supplies of long-range offensive weapons, London was making itself an accomplice to the Kiev regime’s brutal atrocities, which cannot be described other than terrorism and war crimes," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.

• Right to respond

The British side was "provided with a list of its obligations that have been violated by the UK’s support for the Kiev regime." In addition, "comprehensive risks stemming from destructive actions by the British were outlined, and the futility of their efforts was highlighted amid the superiority of the Russian Armed Forces, which hold the strategic initiative in the special military operation zone."

"It was particularly emphasized that given the UK’s policy, Russia reserves the right to take the necessary retaliatory measures as part of efforts to exercise its right of self-defense," the Foreign Ministry said.

• Legitimate targets

Any British military facilities in Ukraine used for strikes on Russia "are a legitimate target."

"It was pointed out that full responsibility for potential future negative developments lies with London," the ministry warned.

A demand was presented to the British side that "it should abandon its escalation policy and make sure its actions comply with its international commitments," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.