Kremlin says British missile help for Ukraine 'adds fuel to the fire'

The Kremlin said on Monday that Britain's decision to hand Ukraine classified information on British-made components used to make SCALP long-range cruise missiles would "add fuel to the fire" and was regarded by Moscow extremely negatively. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday on his first overseas trip since taking office and was due to announce British support to help Kyiv improve its domestic production of long-range missiles. Asked about the visit and the support, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of doing everything it could to prevent any progress towards an eventual peace deal. "Britain is involved in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime. Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire and methodically and regularly hatches schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peaceful settlement process," Peskov told reporters. Peskov said that the Russian military was already systematically gathering data to identify the location of any missile production sites and then destroying them. Moscow warned London last week of unspecified "consequences" for supplying drones to Kyiv, accusing Britain of deepening its involvement in the war following a report ​that British-made drones had been used for long-range strikes against Russia ​for the first time. Burnham said at the time that London was committed to supporting Ukraine 100% against "this illegal war." Zelenskiy says Russia is 'not ready' for ceasefire on grain ships Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia was "not ready" for a ceasefire on attacks on ships in the Black Sea carrying agricultural produce, as Moscow wants to extend any deal to cover attacks on Russian refineries and pipelines. Read: Zelenskyy says Ukraine has given proposals to US for ending war Moscow and Kyiv, major ​players in global agriculture markets, have accused each other of intensified attacks on vessels used for food ⁠exports during Russia's war in Ukraine. Reuters reported this month that Ukraine had sent Russia an offer to halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea. Russia dismissed the idea, saying it ​saw no grounds for "half-measures" that would offer a respite to ‌the other side. "I spoke with certain leaders. I proposed that they use their vessels to transport food from our ports, and we would not attack their ships if they came to pick up agricultural exports from Russia," Zelenskiy told journalists in remarks cleared for release on Sunday. He said that Moscow, however, wanted a quid pro quo whereby it would halt attacks on Ukraine's grain corridor if Kyiv halted strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. "For (Russia), it’s not about the grain. It’s exclusively about their energy sector, but the two are not comparable," Zelenskiy said. Any deal to stop Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries and fuel transportation would need to include a reciprocal cessation of attacks on Ukraine's energy system, he said. Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, did not immediately comment on Zelenskiy's remarks. The Kremlin said on Monday that measures were being taken to minimise the impact of Ukraine's strikes on Russian grain exports. Ukraine has escalated its strikes on Russian economic targets in recent weeks, including on grain export terminals. Last winter, the harshest of the war, millions of Ukrainians were often left without power and heating as Russia focused its attacks on Ukraine's electricity network, leaving many apprehensive about the months ahead. Ukraine wants peace but won't give in, Zelenskiy says on Independence Day Ukraine wants peace but will not just give in to Russia at any price, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday in a defiant speech marking Independence Day celebrations. Read more: Putin warns Ukraine over economic strikes British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and European Council President Antonio Costa were among foreign leaders and dignitaries who arrived in Kyiv for events on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's break from the Soviet Union. Burnham was scheduled to co-chair a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" - a group of countries backing Ukraine - later on Monday during his first visit to the Ukrainian capital as prime minister. "Ukraine absolutely wants peace, but it's not ready to simply surrender," Zelenskiy said in a video posted on Telegram showing him standing in a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt in the square in front of the golden-domed St Michael's monastery in Kyiv where burned-out Russian tanks are on show. He said Russia's demand - repeatedly rejected by Ukraine - that Kyiv cede the remaining part of the eastern Donbas area that is not in Russian hands after 4-1/2 years of war would not be enough to stop Russian aggression. "We will not let them (Russians) seize the initiative, deceive Europe and the entire world into thinking that we simply need to give up Donbas and everything will be over soon," he said. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. US-led peace talks to bring a lasting end to the war stalled earlier this year as Ukraine refused Russia's demands to cede more territory, and fighting rages along a 750-mile (1,200-km) frontline. Tribute to Ukrainian people Russia's advances on the battlefield have slowed this year and Ukraine has recaptured some land in the southeast. However, Moscow's forces are threatening the strategic eastern city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern region of Donetsk - which forms part of Donbas, together with the Luhansk region. Exploiting Ukraine's critical shortage of anti-ballistic missiles, Russia has also stepped up its campaign of air strikes at cities far from the front line this summer. Ukraine has also increased its long-range attacks on Russian refineries and logistics infrastructure, aimed at undermining Moscow's war effort. Paying tribute to the people and soldiers defending Ukraine in the war, Zelenskiy also called on allies to give it "everything" needed to stop the war. Urging them to bring Russia to the negotiating table and hit it with more sanctions, Zelenskiy said he hoped that "all the contradictions and fears" the United States has regarding Russia will disappear. "China must no longer remain silent," he added. Other dignitaries present for the celebrations included Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Moldova's President Maia Sandu and Estonia's President Alar Karis, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X, posting photos of the officials arriving at the Kyiv station.

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