Russia's Medvedev says deployment of British troops in Ukraine will mean 'declaration of war'

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Deployment of the UK military forces will mean declaring of war on Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said on Friday.

Commenting on a visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Ukraine, the former president reminded that the UK top official came to show support to Ukraine, days after Kyiv shelled Russia's city of Belgorod with cluster munitions.

"What would the Western public say if the British delegation came under fire with the use of cluster munition in the center of Kyiv as it happened with the civilians of our Belgorod?" he questioned.

Medvedev, who served as Russian president in 2008-2012, called Britain "insolent" and Russia's "eternal nemesis."

"I hope our eternal nemesis, the insolent Britain, understands that the deployment of their official military contingent in Ukraine will mean a declaration of war on our country," he said.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday visited Kyiv, announcing £2.5 billion (nearly $3.1 billion) in military support for Ukraine in the next financial year, with a focus on bolstering the country's defense capabilities through cutting-edge technology.