A Ukrainian MP warned allies the war with Russia would end quicker if his country was handed more liberty to use foreign-provided weapons to fight.

Ukraine has been heavily relying on Western military equipment since the start of the invasion in 2022 but has been heavily curtailed in terms of what it can deploy amid fears the use of foreign weapons could escalate tensions to a point of no return.

But Oleksiy Goncharenko insisted that waiting for the US, the UK and other allies to approve using the arsenal they handed over only extends the war.

He said: “Watch the Russian reaction. For more than one week, for the first time since the Second World War, Russian territory is occupied. And what is the reaction? Just some mumbling from Putin.

“I hope that this will help us to convince our allies that Ukraine is capable of big successes and to win this war, so finally our hands will be untied.”

Mr Zelensky pledged to “intensify our diplomatic efforts” with the UK, the US and France as his defence forces push ahead with their incursion in the Russian region of Kursk.

In a video posted on X, he said: “Throughout this war, we’ve seen the UK demonstrate true leadership—in arms, politics, and support for Ukrainian society.

“This has saved thousands of lives, reflecting the strength of the UK.” In an interview with the Sunday Express, Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK “should be proud” that its weapons are being used to defend Ukraine.

He said he is happy for British equipment to be used against Russia as long as Ukraine abides by international law. Mr Healey said: “We should be proud of Britain’s support for Ukraine‘s struggle.

“We should be proud that British-donated equipment, in the hands of brave Ukrainians on the front line, is helping them to defend their country and push back Putin.”