Burnham visits Kyiv to reaffirm UK support for Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham makes his first foreign visit to Kyiv to mark Ukraine's independence day and discuss military cooperation.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Andy Burnham makes his first foreign trip as PM to Kyiv
- He will chair the coalition of the willing meeting and accept an award
- UK greenlights MBDA to declassify info on Scalp missile components
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has embarked on his first foreign visit in office with a trip to Kyiv, aiming to reinforce Britain's unwavering support for Ukraine and participate in the nation's independence day commemorations. During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to chair his inaugural meeting of the "coalition of the willing," a military coordination group established by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr Burnham's arrival in Ukraine on Monday follows a dramatic escalation in Russian airstrikes over recent weeks, including a devastating strike on a shopping centre on Friday that claimed the lives of at least 16 people. Ahead of the visit, the prime minister emphasized solidarity, stating that on Ukraine's 35th independence anniversary, the Ukrainian people can rest assured of Britain's backing for as long as it takes.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The diplomatic visit also coincides with warnings from Moscow regarding alleged consequences over Ukraine's deployment of British-supplied drones in intensified long-range attacks. Kyiv has recently ramped up strikes targeting Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries and distribution warehouses belonging to the country's largest online retailer, Wildberries.
"On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes."
Andy Burnham
In addition to diplomatic meetings, Mr Burnham is set to announce that the government has greenlit defense contractor MBDA to declassify technical information concerning British components used in the long-range Scalp missile. The Scalp functions as the French counterpart to the UK's Storm Shadow, with both weapon systems utilizing shared Anglo-French technology while French President Emmanuel Macron explores local assembly options within Ukraine.
Andy Burnham's visit highlights the continuity of British foreign and defense policy under the new administration, maintaining strategic military partnerships with European allies like France. The sharing of missile component technology underscores ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine's domestic defense manufacturing capabilities amid the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia confirmed that its ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, departed his post in London in recent weeks. While the Kremlin has yet to name a successor, the Russian embassy in London told the BBC that the departure does not signal any intention to downgrade diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Source: BBC World
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