Starmer says standing up to Putin is 'about our way of life' after nuclear threat

Keir Starmer has said standing up to Russia is "about our way of life" as he called on to back down on his nuclear war threats.

The PM responded after the Russian tyrant approved a new nuclear doctrine as fears of a escalate. Asked how worried he is, the PM said Putin cannot be allowed to win.

The Kremlin said it would retaliate if long-range Western missiles were filed on Russian territory. And it is reported that Putin has approved a new nuclear doctrine approving the use of nuclear weapons if Russia is "under threat".

Mr Starmer has refused to clarify whether he will authorise to use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles - with a range of almost 200 miles - against Russian territory. But in a hardening of his language he said Ukraine must be given "whatever is needed".

Asked how comfortable he is that Brits could be put at risk, Mr Starmer told Sky News: "Well, it's very important that we're steadfast in our support for Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor and Russia has to be the one that makes the move to stop this war, but we must support Ukraine. It's impacting not just Ukraine. It's impacting the rest of the , including the UK."

And speaking on the 1,000th day since Putin's invasion he said: "This is a thousand days of conflict and there is a very high cost if Russian aggression is seen to pay off. A cost that we will all pay, because this is not just about sovereignty in , it's about our freedoms.

"It's about our way of life and it impacts everybody across the . But, you know, we are working of course with allies to make sure Ukraine is in the best possible position."

In a separate interview with he said: "It matters to Ukraine and sovereignty in Ukraine, but it also impacts every single person back in the UK. This is Russian aggression. We have supported Ukraine throughout this conflict.

"We will continue to do so because it's the right thing to do, and the single simplest way to end the conflict is for to stop its aggression."

And the PM told the : "Look, Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine, and today is the day that marks 1,000 days of the conflict. That is 1000 days of Russian aggression, 1000 days of Ukraine suffering from that aggression, and we've said throughout that we stand firmly with Ukraine.

"We must ensure Ukraine has whatever is needed for as long as it's needed."

He went on: "The quickest way to end this conflict is for Russia to cease, and that is the quickest, most simple and just way to do this."

Asked if the UK will be provide British long-range positions, he said: "Well, my position has always been that Ukraine must have what it needs for as long as it needs. Putin must not win this war.

"But look, forgive me, I'm not going to go into operational matters, because there's only one winner if I do that, and that is Putin and it would undermine Ukrainian efforts."

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