Burnham promised the UK would always support Zelensky on his first visit since becoming prime minister
Burnham says that the UK will always back Ukraine as Zelensky starts his first trip as prime minister since taking office.
Before his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised that his government would “unwaveringly” back Ukraine. President Zelensky will be the first world leader to visit Ukraine since he took office a week ago.
Burnham will say that the UK will share the intellectual property behind its new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system with Ukraine. This will enable Ukraine to produce much of the technology. The two leaders are scheduled to visit a naval base on Monday.
The portable Stone Cloak jammers, roughly the size of a tablet computer, are designed to prevent the detection of drones. The UK Ministry of Defense has already given thousands of these to the Ukrainian military to improve their drone activities.
Downing Street announced that the UK’s next generation of long-range weapons will also utilize the technology. This includes Project Brakestop, a government program that is making low-cost cruise missiles.
Burnham said in a statement on Sunday, “Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and has been tested on the front lines. It will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries.”
Before the trip, Burnham told the BBC that he still supported Kyiv, saying, “My support for Ukraine is unwavering; it is 100%. ” And I will do what people in Ukraine think is right and what they need.
He also thanked Sir Keir Starmer, who was before him, for supporting Ukraine and said, “He will get the same from me.”
Burnham and Zelensky will also meet more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers who have been in the UK for three weeks to take part in the Sea Breeze drill. This is a maritime drill that aims to improve the ability to fight wars and clear minefields in the Black Sea.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago, Britain has continued to support the country and has promised £25 billion to help Kyiv fight the war.
Soon after meeting with Burnham after his appointment, Zelenskyy wrote on X, “I really appreciate that support for Ukraine and our people will stay strong.”
Zelenskyy talked about the changes in European politics and said, “Of course I’m afraid of changes. Of course we are afraid because we are at war every day.”
“But again, the relationship between nations is the most important thing, not just the relationship between people,” he said. I’m sure these relationships will endure, so let’s try our hardest to keep them.
He also said, “I hope we will always have positive relations with the UK, whether the war is over or not.”
“You won’t,” Sir Keir replied.
