Burnham hosts Zelensky in London, pledges faster air defence deliveries to Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street on Wednesday. Burnham said Britain would stand by Ukraine forever and that he was speeding up air defence deliveries.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's official residence in London, on Wednesday. Zelensky is seeking to strengthen support among European allies five years into Russia's war on Ukraine, and the visit shows where the new British government stands on continued backing for Kyiv.
Pledges to Ukraine
During the talks, Burnham told Zelensky that Britain would stand by Ukraine forever. He also said he was accelerating the delivery of air defences to the country.
Ceremonial welcome
Zelensky was greeted at Downing Street with a military ceremonial guard. This is thought to be the first time a foreign leader has been welcomed in this way.
Link to the United States
Burnham had earlier told MPs that he would try to "repair bridges" between Ukraine and the United States. He also said Ukraine would not leave "empty-handed".
Details of the meeting were explained by BBC World News correspondent Joe Inwood, who set out what is known about the visit so far. Further coverage of the talks in London has been published by the BBC.
