London, Thanasis Gavos

Ukraine has a legitimate right to defend itself against attack and that includes the right to strike beyond its borders, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said on Tuesday from Tallinn, Estonia.

In statements with his Estonian counterpart, the head of British diplomacy said that the two countries agree on the need to strengthen the Ukrainian defense and adapt NATO to the fluid security environment.

Asked about yesterday’s drone attack on Russian soil and whether he believed Ukraine had the right to carry out such operations, Mr Cleverly said he would not speculate on the attack, but added:

“Kiev has a legitimate right to defend itself within its own borders of course, but it also has the right to project force beyond its borders to undermine Russia’s ability to project force within Ukraine.”

As he added, “legitimate military targets” beyond Ukraine’s borders are part of this self-defense. “We should recognize that,” he concluded.

His statements are highlighted today by the British press as a difference from the American position condemning the attacks on Russian soil.

They also provoked the reaction of former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the country’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, who spoke of an “undeclared war” by the UK against Russia.

“The foolish officials of the United Kingdom, our eternal enemy, should remember that their country is leading an undeclared war against Russia. Given this, any of its public officials, whether military or political, contributing to the war can be considered a legitimate military target,” Mr. Medvedev warned.