Andy Burnham will meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the U.K. on Monday, hosting his first international visitor since becoming prime minister, as the Ukrainian leader prepares for a meeting with Donald Trump later this week.
The visit is a signal from the U.K. of its continued support for Ukraine despite Keir Starmer’s recent exit as premier. It also enables British officials to help Zelenskyy get ready for for his U.S. visit, which comes amid efforts to revive talks to end the war with Russia.
The U.K.’s support for Ukraine “remains unwavering,” Burnham said. He’s due to meet Zelenskyy at a U.K. naval base.
Ahead of the talks, the U.K. announced it would share with Ukraine the intellectual property for its so-called “Stone Cloak” — a tablet-sized device that blocks Russian air defense systems from tracking and targeting drones.
British military and intelligence backing for Ukraine has extended beyond military assistance and public declarations of support. It has required rallying European partners on issues like sanctions, and preserving the U.S. backing as Trump has shifted between favoring Ukraine and Russia. The U.K. has also pressed Zelenskyy behind closed doors to tackle sensitive issues such as corruption.
Starmer, like his Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunak, grew into the role in office, earning accolades abroad but little credit at home.
In his first week in office, Burnham has focused on domestic issues, announcing a raft of cost-of-living measures, from capping bus fares to helping households with energy bills. His relationship with Zelenskyy will be a test of how decisively he is prepared to step onto the international stage.