British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to make his inaugural international trip to Kyiv on Monday. This visit coincides with Ukraine’s celebration of its 35th independence anniversary, according to his office.
The trip marks a significant moment for Burnham, who took office last month. His visit underscores the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine amidst its current challenges.
The UK was first to gift Ukraine long-range strike weapons for defensive purposes in 2023, according to the premier’s Downing Street office.
The Labour Party leader’s visit comes as he announced that Britain had “agreed that defence firm MBDA can release classified information on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, to establish local assembly lines in Ukraine”, a statement said. It said that the decision to release the classified information would “allow the French and Ukrainians to move forward with the Ukrainian assembly of the missile”. “On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes,” Burnham said in a statement.
In Kyiv, Burnham will co-chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which brings together countries supporting Kyiv. The office of Irish prime minister Micheal Martin indicated that he would participate remotely. Burnham’s visit comes weeks after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London.
