Britain will not send arms to Ukraine, says minister

A senior British minister on Sunday ruled out sending arms to Ukraine as the United States and European nations sought ways to pressure Russia over the conflict in the ex-Soviet republic’s east.

William Hague, who was foreign secretary until last year and is still a minister seen as close to Prime Minister David Cameron, said governments should think “very, very carefully” about such a move.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said earlier this month that, while Britain was not currently planning to supply “lethal aid” to Ukraine, “we reserve the right to keep this position under review”.

Britain is already sending non-lethal equipment such as light armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine.

“We are not planning, as the UK, to send arms to Ukraine.