Burnham's Kyiv visit signals renewed UK backing for Ukraine

Andy Burnham, who took office at Downing Street in July, saw the human cost of Russia's war up close on Monday during his first international trip as prime minister. The visit coincided with the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, marked at St Sophia cathedral, an 11th-century building that predates Moscow and stands as a symbol of Ukraine's ancient statehood. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented awards to families of fallen soldiers while photos of young men killed in the war were displayed on a large screen.

In a speech before other Western leaders, Burnham compared Ukraine's fight to Britain's resistance during the darkest days of the second world war, saying Britain kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century and Ukraine now holds that flame.

A new missile pledge

Burnham announced that the UK would hand over blueprints for key components of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, enabling Ukraine to eventually manufacture its own version jointly with France. Since 2023 the UK and France have supplied Ukraine with these long-range missiles, used against Russian naval vessels and command centres. Additional missiles could help address Ukraine's biggest challenge — waves of Russian ballistic missiles striking its cities, which Ukraine currently cannot fully counter after running out of US-made Patriot interceptors, with the Trump administration reluctant to supply more.

Production is not expected to begin soon, though Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, said he hoped manufacturing could start within months rather than years, adding that the initiative strengthens Ukraine's position in talks with Moscow.

Russian threats

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would destroy any Ukrainian Storm Shadow factory and accused London of participating in the war, despite France also being involved in the production plan. Russia last week threatened consequences over British drone supplies to Ukraine and withdrew its ambassador from London. Burnham dismissed the threats as outrageous, stressing that Vladimir Putin started the war through his unprovoked invasion.

The trip underscores that the UK intends to keep a leading role in the coalition of the willing following Keir Starmer's departure. Co-hosting a coalition meeting for the first time, Burnham pledged that Europe would work to secure more Patriot interceptors for Ukraine, after Zelenskyy requested 300 systems to help the country survive the coming winter.