Russia summons British envoy over increased weapons supplies to Ukraine

On September 18, 2026, Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned British chargé d'affaires Danae Dholakia to protest the UK's increased weapons supplies to Ukraine, accusing London of being an accomplice to terrorism. The UK Foreign Office dismissed the move as an attempt to deflect from Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, European leaders warned of rising Russian hybrid threats, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland has joined an anti-ballistic missile coalition with Ukraine.

UK envoy summoned in Moscow

• ▪Russia currently has no ambassador in London following the departure of the previous ambassador, Andrei Kelin, in July 2026.
• ▪A spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office characterized the summoning of Danae Dholakia on September 18, 2026, as an attempt by Russia to deflect attention from its invasion of Ukraine and discredit the United Kingdom
• ▪The Russian government denied British media speculation that the July 2026 departure of Ambassador Andrei Kelin signaled a formal downgrading of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.
• ▪The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Britain's chargé d'affaires in Moscow, Danae Dholakia, on September 18, 2026, to issue a formal protest over the United Kingdom's increased weapons supplies to Ukraine.

British weapons supplies to Ukraine

• ▪The United Kingdom stated that it would share classified weapons information with Ukraine and continue providing necessary military equipment
• ▪The United Kingdom government has repeatedly stated that it stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and remains committed to providing military support.

Russian terrorism accusations

• ▪Russian officials accused London of contributing to the conflict and urged the United Kingdom to abandon its policy of military escalation in Ukraine.
• ▪The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that by increasing arms shipments to Kyiv, the United Kingdom is acting as an accomplice to atrocities, terrorism, and war crimes committed by the Ukrainian government.

European hybrid threat warnings

• ▪Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on September 17, 2026, that Russia may be preparing hybrid drone and missile strikes against Ukraine's allies to weaken NATO's collective defense resolve.
• ▪French President Emmanuel Macron stated on September 18, 2026, that Russian hybrid attacks against France and Europe have intensified, prompting him to order a plan to protect critical infrastructure against drone and cyber-attacks

Poland anti-ballistic missile coalition

• ▪Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a new significant donation package for Ukraine during the Carpathian Eight summit in western Ukraine on September 18, 2026.
• ▪Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on September 18, 2026, that Poland has joined an air-defense and anti-ballistic missile coalition with Ukraine and other allies.