UK Prime Minister to Announce Support for Ukraine's Long-Range Missile Production in Kyiv
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will make his first visit to Kyiv and announce support to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile production. The trip comes ahead of Independence Day as Kyiv braces for another wave of Russian missile strikes.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will travel to Kyiv on Monday for his first visit to Ukraine since taking office. The trip coincides with Ukraine's Independence Day and comes as the country prepares for a new wave of Russian missile strikes, The Guardian reported, citing a UK government announcement.
Burnham will announce that the British government will allow European defence company MBDA to declassify information about British-made components used in the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles, helping Ukraine build its own version. While the move is unlikely to affect the course of the war for several years, it could further strain already tense relations between Britain and Russia.
The prime minister will also announce that the UK will help France set up long-range missile assembly lines in Ukraine, a commitment French President Emmanuel Macron made last month. Over time, this effort could allow Ukraine to eventually produce its own long-range versions of the Storm Shadow cruise missile.
Last week, Russia accused Britain of deliberately escalating the conflict by allowing Ukraine to carry out strikes using British-made drones, warning that deeper British involvement would come at a high cost. Over the weekend it emerged that Russia had recalled its ambassador from London without naming a successor, fueling speculation it is scaling back its diplomatic presence in Britain. Burnham has stressed that Russian threats will not weaken British support for Ukraine.
On Monday, Burnham will also chair a meeting of the 34-nation 'coalition of the willing', with Macron joining by video link along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The leaders will discuss how to help Ukraine repel recent long-range attacks. While in Kyiv, Burnham will take part in Independence Day events, the details of which are being kept confidential over fears of a large-scale Russian attack, and is expected to receive an award recognising Britain's support for Ukraine.
