ReutersThe foreign secretary said allies must show “courage” in supporting Ukraine as it continues to call for Western long-range missiles to be fired at Russia.
David Lamy said there were “real-time discussions” among allies on how to help Ukraine as it heads into winter.
Speaking alongside him at a fringe event at the Labor Party conference, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said it was “vital” to lift restrictions on the use of weapons against military targets in Russia.
Ukraine has acquired long-range missiles from Britain, the United States and France, but is currently only allowed to fire missiles at targets within its own territory.
“For our allies who stand with Ukraine, these are critical times that require courage, courage, patience and perseverance,” Mr Lamy said at the event.
He added: “As foreign secretary, I will of course not comment on the details of the operation because that can only help Putin.
“But there are very real-time discussions happening among the allies about how to support Ukraine as we head into winter.”
Earlier, Mr Zaluzhny had described weapons with long-range capabilities as “vital”.
“It is vital to lift restrictions on the use of weapons against Russian military targets. This will help protect civilians from Russian missiles,” he said.
“This winter in Ukraine will be the most difficult. As far as we know, I believe in the resilience of the Ukrainian people, but without additional help, the price will be very, very high.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden met in Washington earlier this month to discuss the issue.
There are strong signs that the United States and Britain are ready to lift restrictions on long-range missiles, but this has not been confirmed following the talks.
Discussions are expected to continue at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, where Sir Keir and Biden will attend alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders.
Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian cities and front lines have been bombed frequently.
Many of the missiles were launched from aircraft inside Russia, and Kyiv said not allowing attacks on the bases from which they were launched would hinder its ability to defend itself.
Zelensky has repeatedly called for the lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range missiles.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that this would represent “direct participation” in the war on behalf of Western allies.
Ukraine’s allies have been reluctant to take any action that might draw them into direct conflict with Moscow.
Speaking later in the main chamber, Lamy insisted the government would always stand with Ukraine and had pledged £3 billion in annual military aid “for as long as it is needed”.
“We need to make it clear to Putin that Britain and its allies are not going anywhere,” he said.
He also talked about There has been a “worrying escalation” in fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in recent dayshe said it was “not in anyone’s interest.”
“Our message to all parties is clear: We need an immediate ceasefire from both sides in order to reach a political solution,” he said.
“So that Israelis and Lebanese civilians can return to their homes and live in peace and security.”
He reiterated his call for British nationals still in Lebanon to leave immediately “for their own safety”.
