Join us Read
Listen
Watch
Book
Our Planet Climate and Geopolitics

Putin is escalating Ukraine war with Iran’s missiles, says Blinken

The top diplomats from the US and UK landed in Kyiv yesterday morning for a rare joint visit to demonstrate support for Ukraine. Both made significant financial commitments, mainly focused on repairing the energy grid that Russia has targeted ahead of winter. The big and often-repeated ask from Ukraine – to be allowed to use long-range missiles against targets inside Russia – was not forthcoming. Blinken said he would “take the discussion back to Washington”. But he emphasised that the US has “adjusted and adapted as needs have evolved”, and that fears of escalation “were not the only factor”. “It is Putin who has escalated this week with the shipment of ballistic missiles from Iran,” Blinken said. Keir Starmer is due to meet Joe Biden in Washington on Friday. Watch this space.


Enjoyed this article?

Sign up to the Daily Sensemaker Newsletter

A free newsletter from Tortoise. Take once a day for greater clarity.



Tortoise logo

A free newsletter from Tortoise. Take once a day for greater clarity.



Tortoise logo

Download the Tortoise App

Download the free Tortoise app to read the Daily Sensemaker and listen to all our audio stories and investigations in high-fidelity.

App Store Google Play Store

Follow:


Copyright © 2026 Tortoise Media

All Rights Reserved