The UK backs the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine in Russia but will not publicly call for the move amid concern it would provoke a row with the US, White House and UK government interlocutors say, The Telegraph reports.

Reporters noted that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is understood not to want to provoke a row over the issue and is said to be taking a “consultative approach” to negotiations with the US on the issue after previous diplomatic rows under the previous Conservative government.

A White House source told The Telegraph the Biden administration has concerns that Ukraine’s use of these missiles, even without US approval, could escalate matters and lead to American troops being drawn into the conflict.

The Telegraph understands that earlier this summer the UK government asked the US to relent on its position and allow the weapons to be used inside Russia.

The United States has privately bemoaned the UK’s front-foot approach to giving military equipment to Ukraine.

Sources said at the time that the UK decisions to become the first Western nation to donate main battle tanks and the country’s push to deliver F-16 fighter jets had caused angst in Washington, with officials believing the UK was trying to bounce them into similar decisions.