U.S. and U.K. Foreign Ministers in Kyiv: Putin Has Escalated War by Receiving Missiles from the Islamic Republic

On Wednesday, September 12, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with senior Ukrainian officials in Kyiv. In a press conference, Blinken noted that Russia has intensified its attacks within Ukraine against civilians, energy infrastructure, and the Ukrainian military, reiterating Russia's acquisition of ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic of Iran. He stated that this action strengthens Russia's aggression in Ukraine and emphasized, 'If anyone is escalating the war, it is Putin.' Lammy added, 'It is Putin who has escalated tensions this week by receiving ballistic missiles from Iran, and we are witnessing the formation of a new axis of Russia, Iran, and North Korea.' Blinken and Lammy arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian officials at a 'critical juncture' in Ukraine's resistance against the Russian invasion. Blinken expressed his intention to hear directly from President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials to understand Kyiv's objectives in the war and what Washington can do to assist. According to Reuters, Western sources reported that the U.S. and U.K. diplomats might pressure Ukraine to provide more information about its strategic goals before granting permission for further support. Concerns over escalating tensions are one reason Kyiv has not been allowed to use Western long-range weapons to strike targets within Russia. Blinken stated that the U.S. has always adapted to developments on the battlefield and will continue to do so. Zelensky expressed hope that the meeting would lead to new 'powerful' decisions to support Ukraine. He has been urging allies for months to lift restrictions on the use of Western weapons, including U.S. long-range ATACMS missiles and U.K. Storm Shadow cruise missiles, to limit Moscow's ability to attack Ukraine. In response to whether he is optimistic about progress during his meeting with Blinken, Zelensky sarcastically remarked that it depends on the 'optimism' of Ukraine's partners. Blinken's visit to Kyiv came a day after he announced that Russia had received ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic of Iran and warned that Russia would likely use them in Ukraine within weeks. He cautioned that military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran threatens European security. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that Washington could verify reports of Iran's 'Fateh 360' missiles being sent to Russia. Following this news, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Iran, including against Iran Air. Additionally, the U.K., France, and Germany condemned the transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia and announced new sanctions against Iran Air and the suspension of air services to Iran. Ukraine has also indicated that it may sever ties with the Islamic Republic. In response to the delivery of missiles to Russia, the British Foreign Office summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires. The U.S. and U.K. foreign ministers entered Kyiv to reaffirm support for Ukraine. Ukraine has not ruled out severing relations with the Islamic Republic over the missile delivery to Russia. The U.S. President has announced a review of the possibility of lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles against Russia. The U.S., U.K., France, and Germany are sanctioning Iran Air. Ukraine has conducted its second major drone attack on Russia, closing three airports in Moscow. The U.S. stated it would respond to the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia with 'significant consequences.'