Russian threat could have been successful as UK appears to reconsider providing jets to Ukraine

After a visit from Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he called for British fighter jets to help in the war against Russia, the UK government seemed to be considering fulfilling his request. However, after a threat from Russia, it now appears to be back-tracking.

Russia's threat to the UK

The UK government announced on Wednesday 8 February that it was 'actively investigating' and discussing sending the fighter jets with its partners. The UK also said it would start training Ukrainian pilots on 'NATO-standard fighter jets' in the coming weeks.

In response, the Russian embassy issued a warning. In a statement, the embassy said that if the UK provided the fighter jets, the 'bloodshed... escalation, and... ramifications for the European continent and the entire globe' would be 'on London's conscience'. It added:

Russia will find a response to any unfriendly steps taken by the British side.

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The UK backtracks

The threat seems to have worked. Today, Thursday 9 February, the government clarified that the UK will not send fighter jets to Ukraine if there is risk to the safety of Britain. No 10 Downing Street told PA News that the UK is keeping tabs on 'potential escalatory risks' as it deliberates sending the jets.

When asked about the concerns from some Western allies that providing the jets could force NATO to get involved in the conflict, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson said:

Firstly we haven’t made a decision in terms of UK provision of jets, we are training currently. The UK is in the process of providing Challenger tanks and we have provided longer-range capabilities as well. We take these decisions carefully and we do it thoughtfully. We are aware of potential escalatory risks.

They added:

But throughout we have been confident the approach we are taking is the best and quickest way to help Ukraine end this war, which is obviously in everyone’s interests. And it is Russia that continues to take escalatory action with their bombardment of civilians and continue their illegal war in Ukraine.

The spokesperson said the government would not send the jets if it put Britain's safety at risk:

The UK has significant numbers of Typhoons and F-35s. Of course we would never do anything that would put UK safety at risk.

They added that Britain would collaborate with international partners to 'work out how we could supply (Ukraine) with Nato-standard capabilities'.

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Sources used:

- Daily Express: 'Putin's terrifying threat to UK as he warns of consequences for 'entire world' over jets'

- The Defense Post: 'Russia Vows ‘Response’ if UK Sends Planes to Ukraine'

- The Guardian: 'Russia-Ukraine war live: UK will not send fighter jets to Ukraine 'if there is a risk to British safety''