Zelenskyy to visit Britain as Burnham pledges fresh support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Photo Credit: AP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet British Prime Minister Andy ​Burnham in London on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) as Britain ‌looks to reaffirm its support for Ukraine, ​including with the promise of ⁠a new package of surface-to-air missiles.The meeting comes at a difficult time for Mr. Zelenskyy. U.S. President ‌Donald Trump said at the weekend he should be replaced as ‌Ukraine’s leader, days after cutting a ‌deal ⁠with Moscow to lift sanctions on ⁠Russian diesel exports.Britain has said it does not support the U.S.-Russia diesel deal, and called for ​allies to keep ‌up the economic pressure on Moscow.“My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for ‌as long as it takes, ​and we will go further and faster in our support to ⁠back your courageous fight for peace in Europe,” Mr. Burnham said in a statement before ‌the meeting.Mr. Burnham said backing for Ukraine was vital to keeping people in Britain safe and pledged further military support.He announced the planned delivery of £45 million ($59.60 million) of surface-to-air missiles used to target ‌jet-powered Russian drones, with £10 million of that package ​fast-tracked to meet an urgent need in Ukraine.Mr. Burnham has asked officials to ⁠draw up further sanctions, military aid, and ⁠fiscal support, and his foreign and finance ministers have been lobbying allies ‌to follow Britain in banning maritime services that support Russian liquefied natural ​gas exports. Published - October 14, 2026 04:01 am IST