UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has arrived in Kyiv with a pledge to bolster Ukraine's long-range missile capabilities, announcing plans to share British blueprints for the weapons during his visit to the Ukrainian capital. The trip, which coincides with the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day, marks Burnham's first visit to the country since taking office.
Under the proposed arrangement, the UK will allow European defence firm MBDA to declassify information on British components used in the long-range Scalp missile. The move is intended to support France in establishing missile assembly lines, with the prime minister expected to confirm the plan during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The visit comes as Burnham is set to chair his first meeting of the coalition of the willing, a group of allied nations coordinating military support for Ukraine. The meeting follows 1,643 days of full-scale Russian invasion, with the conflict showing no signs of abating.
In a special address marking Independence Day, Zelenskyy acknowledged that «things are really very difficult for all of us», but stressed that the unity of Ukrainians «is … holding us firmly by the hand». He directly addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying: «Putin hopes that we are tired. But we know that he is mortal. He never understood us. Now he will not have time to.»
Zelenskyy also highlighted the toll the war has taken on Russia, noting that Moscow has lost oil refineries, its fleet, profits, and «your entire generation that you sent into the meat grinder». The Ukrainian leader's remarks underscored the resilience of the country's defence despite the prolonged nature of the conflict.
The UK's decision to share missile blueprints represents a significant step in military cooperation between London and Kyiv. By enabling MBDA to declassify information on British components, the UK is effectively allowing European partners to scale up production of long-range weapons that could be deployed in support of Ukraine's war effort.
Burnham's visit signals the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine's defence, even as the war enters its fifth year. The prime minister's participation in the coalition of the willing meeting is expected to reinforce that message, with allies likely to discuss further military aid and strategic coordination.
The timing of the visit, on Ukraine's Independence Day, carries symbolic weight. For Ukrainians, the holiday has taken on renewed significance since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, serving as a reminder of the country's determination to preserve its sovereignty against Russian aggression.
Details of the missile assembly lines and the timeline for their establishment have not yet been fully disclosed. However, the announcement is expected to be a central topic of discussion during Burnham's meetings in Kyiv, alongside broader questions of military support and the future trajectory of the conflict.