Burnham: UK wants to 'repair bridges' between Ukraine and US ahead of Zelensky meeting

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said it is his job to "repair bridges" between Ukraine and the United States. He spoke ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street, the prime minister's office in London. The remarks follow US President Donald Trump's announcement that he had struck a deal with Moscow to import Russian diesel, a move that bears on Western unity over support for Ukraine.

A cautious line on Trump

During Prime Minister's Questions in parliament, Burnham was asked about Trump's decision. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called it "yet another shameful Trump betrayal of the Ukrainian people and European security". Burnham did not echo that condemnation. He said his role was to try to repair bridges so that support comes back, and that he should be careful at this moment about laying the ground to bring people back together.

Burnham said he had spoken to Zelensky by phone on Saturday because he recognised it was another very dark and difficult moment for him, as Ukraine contemplates a winter that will be severe for its people.

Promised support

The prime minister stressed that Zelensky would not leave the UK "empty-handed". He said further military and financial support would be drawn up in the coming weeks.

During the visit, Burnham is expected to promise further sanctions against Russia and announce that the UK will accelerate deliveries of air defence missiles to Kyiv. The government will also urge allies to increase pressure on Russia. Chancellor John Healey is expected to use International Monetary Fund meetings to call for a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).