Rishi Sunak calls on allies to help stop Iran killer drone supply to Russia

British leader also encouraged his counterparts to sustain or increase their support for Ukraine at Riga summit

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Baltic states. PA

Britain’s Prime Minister has urged allies to “go after” Iran’s ability to supply weapons to Russia that are killing civilians.

Speaking at a summit in Riga, Rishi Sunak condemned the Tehran regime, which has sent more than 500 kamikaze drones to Russia. They have been used in deadly attacks on Ukraine’s people and energy supply.

He also warned that the “economic consequences” for Russia must continue to be “severe”, particularly with the new oil price cap set by the G7.

Mr Sunak used Monday's meeting of northern European allies in Latvia to call on his counterparts to sustain or increase their assistance to Ukraine against Russian invasion, that included a clamp down on Tehran's arms supplies.

“We must continue to focus on degrading Russia’s capability to regroup and to resupply and that means going after its supply chains and removing the international support," he said.

“Particularly I’m thinking of Iran and the weapons that it is currently providing to Russia, which we should be very strong about calling out as we have done in the United Nations."

The UK has announced hundreds of thousands more rounds of artillery ammunition as part of its package of military aid for 2023 under a £250 million contract.

At the meeting in Riga on Monday, the members of the Joint Expeditionary Force discussed Ukraine’s defence needs while seeking to accelerate their own co-operation.

Following the gathering, which was addressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr Sunak met Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins.

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In Estonia, he will meet UK and Nato troops serving on alliance’s eastern flank.

A new digital partnership, which Mr Sunak will sign with Ms Kallas, will involve the strengthening of ties across health, education, cyber security, data and connectivity.

“From the Arctic Circle to the Isle of Wight, the UK and our European allies have been in lockstep in our response to the invasion of Ukraine, and we remain steadfast in our ambition for peace in Europe once again," Mr Sunak said.

“But to achieve peace, we must deter aggression and our deployments across the region together are vital in ensuring we are able to respond to the gravest of threats.

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“I know this Joint Expeditionary Force summit will only underline our close friendships and unwavering support for Ukraine.”

The JEF alliance includes Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.