Andy Burnham has assured full support to Ukraine, stating the UK stands by them unequivocally. In his first official meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Prime Minister emphasized the unwavering commitment of Britain under his leadership, highlighting that Mr. Zelensky was the first leader he welcomed since assuming office.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian and British sailors at a naval base in Portsmouth, Burnham conveyed a strong message of solidarity, stating, “We are with Ukraine 100%. I am personally with you 100%, Mr. President. I will uphold every commitment this country has made to Ukraine without fail.”
He further reiterated, “Volodymyr, we’ve got your back. You can rely on me and on us. The UK stands by you for as long as necessary.”
Zelensky reciprocated the sentiment, describing the UK-Ukraine relationship as stronger than ever. He expressed gratitude to Burnham for the commitment to the partnership, particularly in matters of defense and security.
Burnham moved swiftly to allay concerns in Kyiv following the change in UK leadership, showcasing his international engagement. The former Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, was honored with the Order of Freedom during his last visit to the country for his role in unifying allies through the Coalition of the Willing.
Addressing Mr. Zelensky at the onset of the meeting, Burnham reassured, “There is no change in our stance towards Ukraine despite the change in leadership. The support for Ukraine remains unwavering across political parties in the UK.”
After the meeting, Burnham described the interaction as warm and expressed optimism about a close partnership with Zelensky. He confirmed plans for an imminent visit to Ukraine to address various issues discussed during their meeting.
During the visit, the leaders met with over 200 Ukrainian military personnel participating in Exercise Sea Breeze, a maritime security drill aimed at readiness for Black Sea missions. Additionally, Burnham announced a pact enabling Ukraine to commence mass production of UK-designed signal jammers to neutralize Russian air defenses.
The electronic warfare system, named “Stone Cloak,” is a compact device designed to disrupt drone detection once installed.
