Gordon Brown warns Ukraine faces 'worst winter' since war began, urges Trump to allow Patriot missile production
Quick Look
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that Ukraine is facing its worst winter since the Russia conflict began, urging Britain and allies to press Donald Trump to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles for defense against Russian bombardment, speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The war in Ukraine began when Russian forces invaded in February 2022. Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister, spoke at the Edinburgh International Book Festival about the worsening situation, noting that Russia has been able to bomb Ukrainian infrastructure and populated areas due to lack of effective air defenses.
Ukraine is facing its "worst winter" since the conflict with Russia began, Gordon Brown has warned, urging Britain and allies to press Donald Trump to bolster support for the nation.
The former prime minister said the US president should be urged to let Ukraine produce Patriot interceptor missiles, explaining these could help defend the country from Russian bombardment.
Brown said the war – which began when Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022 – is in a "critical moment", and recalled Trump previously "promised he would give the design for interceptors to Ukraine", but "hasn’t yet done so".
Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Friday, the former Labour leader said: "We’re at a very critical moment in this Ukraine war."
Adding this "could be the worst winter" so far, he said: "Putin has realised he can bomb into populated areas and the infrastructure, put out the electricity, put out the power in Ukraine, by using his missiles and his bombs that cannot be intercepted because America is not providing the interceptors that are necessary."
Trump reportedly claimed last month that it is a "hard thing to give away, that kind of technology".
But Brown insisted: "I think we have got to press America to provide the kind of interceptors that they alone seem to have that could make a difference to the protection of Ukraine."
He stressed, however, that the UK and Europe must remain "very careful" to avoid war with Russia.
Brown said: "We have not declared war on Russia, Europe has not declared war on Russia.
“Russia has declared war on Ukraine and we mustn’t walk into a situation where we genuinely find ourselves with a declaration of war on both sides against each other, that would be very dangerous."
"It is getting very dangerous, we do not want a war in Europe, we don’t want it to go beyond Ukraine, but what we have got to do is help Ukraine."
Brown noted Andy Burnham was "right to give what he can to Ukraine".
The Prime Minister, who visited Ukraine this week, announced the Government will share plans allowing Kyiv to manufacture its own models of Britain’s long-range Scalp missile.
Brown warned this might "not make huge difference in the very short run" to the conflict.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The UK and allies will continue to press the United States to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles
Likely · Within weeks
Ukraine will face increased Russian bombardment targeting infrastructure and populated areas during the winter months
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will Donald Trump agree to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles?
- What specific steps will the UK and Europe take to support Ukraine's defense production?
- How severe will the upcoming winter be for Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure?
