Starmer to pressure Biden to drop Storm Shadow missile ban

His remarks come after Mr Zelensky called on Britain, the United States and France to lift arms restrictions and allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russia.

In an interview with the New York Times, he said he would personally raise the request with Sir Keir, Mr Biden and Emmanuel Macron.

All three must agree to the use of Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia.

Mr Macron has already said publicly that he would accept this move, while Sir Keir has indicated privately that he is prepared to do so.

The missile was developed jointly by Britain and France, but it relies on a US targeting system, giving Mr Biden veto power.

World leaders will gather in New York as Russia makes some of its fastest gains in the war in more than two years.

Russian forces used “scorched earth” tactics to capture Vuhledar, a coal mining town in a key strategic location.

The city had never been conquered before, but pro-Kremlin military bloggers seemed confident that Kremlin forces would crush the Ukrainian defenders.