TRANSCRIPT
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will discuss Ukraine's use of missiles with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and take the issue back to Washington to brief President Joe Biden.
Ukrainian officials have renewed their pleas for the lifting of restrictions on the supply of long-range missiles, so they can be used to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
The issue has taken on an added urgency after Russia's latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran.
Mr Blinken says there are serious concerns about how that further escalates the war.
"Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians. Russia has an array of its own ballistic missiles, but the supply of Iranian missiles enables Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets that are further from the frontline, while dedicating the new missiles it's receiving from Iran for closer range targets. This development, and the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran, threatens European security and demonstrates how Iran's destabilising influence reaches far beyond the Middle East."
Mr Blinken says Mr Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are likely to discuss the matter when they meet in Washington.
"I'm going to take that discussion back to Washington to brief the president on what I heard. I know that David's doing the same; and both of our bosses no doubt will discuss this when they meet, later this week. Actually, on Friday, in Washington. Just speaking for the United States. From day one, as you heard me say, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed as the battlefield has changed. And I have no doubt that will continue to do that as this evolves."
Mr Zelenskyy says the Iranian-supplied missiles appear to have not yet been used.
"I received information at the intelligence level from partners, but once again - I cannot yet confirm the use of these missiles."
Iran has denied supplying Russia with missiles for use against Ukraine, calling the allegations completely false and based on faulty intelligence.
In Kyiv, during their visit, Mr Blinken announced over A$1.04 billion in U-S humanitarian aid while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed A$1.17 billion in additional U-K assistance, aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter.
"This response is in keeping with our commitment to remain Ukraine's staunchest friend. And I'm proud of that commitment. I'm proud of Prime Minister Starmer's commitment to provide 3 billion in military aid every year that is needed in your fight. And today, I can confirm more than 600 million worth of support for Ukraine, including 242 million this financial year for immediate humanitarian, energy and stabilisation needs, as well as support for reform, recovery and reconstruction."
Mr Lammy and Mr Blinken are in Ukraine visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During the visit, the British Foreign Secretary compared Russia's President Vladimir Putin to Joseph Stalin and Catherine the Great.
"No act of authoritarianism is ever exactly the same. But 80 years after Stalin deported the Crimean Tatars, 240 years after Catherine the Great annexed Crimea, Putin has revealed the same arrogance, the same greed, the same disdain for the rights of other individuals and nations. This is imperialism. This is fascism."
The visit coincided with Russia intensifying its attacks in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, resulting in several civilian deaths from missiles and drones.
On August 6, Ukraine launched the largest foreign attack on Russian soil since World War Two, breaking through into the Kursk region.
Russian forces have launched a major counter-offensive, reportedly reclaiming some territory.
