Burnham to visit Kyiv on first foreign trip and reaffirm UK support for Ukraine

Andy Burnham will undertake his inaugural international journey as prime minister, traveling to Kyiv on Monday to reaffirm the United Kingdom's commitment to Ukraine and commemorate the nation's independence day.

During his visit, the prime minister will preside over the initial gathering of the "coalition of the willing," an initiative established by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.

He is also scheduled to accept an accolade on behalf of the British populace, acknowledging the UK's support for Ukraine, and to participate in the independence day festivities.

Burnham's visit will underscore the UK's continued backing for Kyiv amidst a recent surge in Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a strike on a shopping center last Friday that resulted in at least 16 fatalities.

Prior to Monday's visit, Burnham stated: "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. I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine's security is our security."

He asserted that the bond between Ukraine and the UK would "long outlast Russia's illegal war," adding: "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace."

This visit follows Moscow's warning of "consequences" regarding Ukraine's use of British drones in its recent intensification of strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Kyiv has escalated its long-range assaults on Moscow and other Russian regions, targeting oil refineries and warehouses belonging to Wildberries, the country's largest online retailer.

The Russian embassy in the UK has accused Britain of "deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis," stating that "the deeper its involvement in the conflict... the higher the price it will pay."

In response, Burnham declared last week: "We are not fair-weather friends, we will be there in Ukraine's hour of need and that won't change."

When questioned on Tuesday about the Russian threat, Burnham reiterated that the UK was "providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself and that's been the British position all the way through this conflict, by previous prime ministers - it remains the case with me."

Burnham is also expected to announce the government's approval for the defense company MBDA to declassify information concerning UK components for the long-range Scalp missile, which is the French counterpart to the UK's Storm Shadow.

Both missile systems utilize shared British and French technology, and President Emmanuel Macron is exploring the establishment of local assembly lines for Scalp missiles in Ukraine.

Zelensky was the first foreign leader to be welcomed to Downing Street after Burnham assumed the role of prime minister in July.

This visit coincides with Russia's confirmation that its ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, departed his London post in recent weeks.

The Kremlin has yet to name a replacement, but Russia's embassy to the UK informed the BBC that this development does not signify an intention to downgrade diplomatic relations between the two nations.