Burnham touts UK support for Ukraine, staring down Russian threats

On his first overseas trip, the new prime minister highlighted plans to help Kyiv produce long-range missiles.MANCHESTER, England (CN) — Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed Monday that the U.K. would continue supporting Ukraine despite what he called “outrageous threats” from Russia, using his first international trip to reinforce the country’s commitment to Kyiv.Speaking in front of St. Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv on Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, Burnham compared Ukraine’s resistance to Russia with Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany and said the Ukrainian people had become a frontline defense for Europe.“Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country we will continue our support for Ukraine,” Burnham said. “This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war.”The visit came as Burnham’s government announced that British defense company MBDA had been authorized to release classified information about British components used in the SCALP long-range missile.Ukraine plans to use the information to establish local assembly lines.SCALP is the French-produced version of the British Storm Shadow missile, which uses shared French and British technology.Britain became the first country to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons in 2023.The move gives Ukraine greater capacity to produce long-range weapons domestically as Russia continues its war and Kyiv prepares for another winter of attacks on its energy and civilian infrastructure.It also puts Burnham at the center of a growing confrontation between London and Moscow over the level of British military support for Ukraine.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday Britain was “adding fuel to the fire” and accused London of “plotting to prevent any progress in the peace process.”He said Russia was gathering information on Ukrainian missile production sites.Asked about the Kremlin’s criticism during his visit to Kyiv, Burnham responded: “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it?”‘Ukraine has been Europe’s protector’Burnham said Britain’s support would remain in place despite the Russian warnings.“We are unwavering in our support and that is why I am here to send that very clear message to the Ukrainian people on their independence day,” he told reporters.In his first major speech on the international stage, Burnham praised Ukraine’s resistance and framed its defense as a matter of wider European security.“The sheer strength of the Ukrainian people is truly awesome,” he said. “Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the front line in keeping Europe safe.”The prime minister had said before leaving Britain that “Ukraine’s security is our security” and pledged British support would not waver until there was a “just and lasting peace.”The U.K. government says Britain has committed 25 billion pounds ($34 billion) in funding for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, including 16 billion pounds in military assistance and 5.6 billion pounds in nonmilitary support.Coalition meets in KyivBurnham also co-chaired the first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.The group, made of countries supporting Ukraine, agreed to increase military support, strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and increase pressure on Russia through sanctions against its so-called shadow fleet of vessels used to evade restrictions on oil exports.Burnham said Russia appeared to be running out of options and was instead relying on ballistic missile attacks against civilians.“The clear message to Putin should be that Ukraine will never give up territory that Russia cannot win on the battlefield,” Burnham said.European Council President António Costa, who traveled to Kyiv with Burnham, said the European Union was accelerating support for Ukraine’s air defenses and energy infrastructure ahead of winter.The EU announced Monday it approved 6.1 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in new defense procurement for Ukraine, as part of its 90 billion loan program. The funding will cover air and missile defense systems, missiles, ammunitions and radars.Costa also said the EU would “move forward with Ukraine’s EU accession process. The future of Ukraine is in the European Union.”Britain’s role under BurnhamThe trip marks an early test of Burnham’s foreign policy after taking office and places Ukraine at the center of his international agenda.Just weeks before the visit, Burnham welcomed Zelenskyy to Britain as his first foreign guest.Burnham’s government has also backed efforts to develop cheaper long-range weapons for Ukraine, adding to Britain’s role as one of Kyiv’s leading military supporters.Moscow has repeatedly warned Britain over its military assistance to Ukraine.Peskov said the Kremlin views the plan “extremely negatively.” He accused the U.K. of “taking part in this war” on Ukraine’s side.Courthouse News reporter James Francis Whitehead is based in England.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads