Keir Starmer is set to travel to the United States for his third visit in just three months, as his aides work to arrange meetings with both presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Following his recent address at the Labour conference, the Prime Minister will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During this event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to advocate for a deal regarding the use of Storm Shadow missiles in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Starmer's team is optimistic about securing discussions with the candidates as he addresses key international issues in his speech.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has emphasized the need for "nerve and guts" in ongoing discussions with the White House regarding the potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine within Russian territory. His comments appear to be directed at the Biden administration, urging allies of Kyiv to demonstrate resolve during this critical time. This statement comes shortly after Lammy and Labour leader Keir Starmer met with President Joe Biden at the White House, where they were unable to reach an agreement on this contentious issue. The negotiations remain a significant point of contention between the UK and the US as they navigate the complexities of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

During a meeting at the White House on Friday, President Joe Biden addressed the escalating tensions with Russia, particularly regarding the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine. Biden, alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and their respective teams, dismissed the saber-rattling threats issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US president emphasized that he does not believe that Ukraine's deployment of Western-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets within Russia would constitute a declaration of war by NATO against Moscow. This stance reflects a commitment to supporting Ukraine while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.

Keir Starmer has asserted that Vladimir Putin initiated the war in Ukraine and has the power to end it whenever he chooses. This statement comes in response to Putin's warning that the use of long-range British missiles within Russian territory would escalate the conflict to a war between Russia and NATO. The UK Prime Minister made these remarks while traveling to Washington for discussions with US President Joe Biden. Starmer aimed to clarify a recent decision made by Western leaders, which permits Ukraine to utilize Storm Shadow missiles—partly manufactured in Britain—to strike targets inside Russia.

**Ukraine-Russia Conflict Update: Putin Initiates Counteroffensive in Kursk as US and UK Commit $1.5 Billion in Support for Kyiv** In a significant development in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, President Vladimir Putin has launched a counteroffensive in the Kursk region. This move comes amid escalating tensions and military actions on both sides. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom have announced a substantial financial commitment of $1.5 billion to support Ukraine's defense efforts. This funding is aimed at bolstering Kyiv's military capabilities as the conflict continues to unfold. Discussions held in Kyiv recently did not yield any agreements regarding Ukraine's use of long-range strikes, specifically concerning the deployment of Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles. The situation remains fluid as both sides prepare for further military engagements.