Andy Burnham arrives in Kyiv as Ukraine marks Independence Day - with PM poised to handover long-range missile blueprints
Mr Burnham reassured the people of Ukraine that "the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes"
Andy Burnham has arrived in Kyiv on Ukraine's Independence Day - a seminal trip marking the Prime Minister's first foreign visit in charge.
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A move designed to reiterate the UK’s continued support for the war-ravaged country, Burnham is poised to hand Zelenskyy weapons blueprints in a bid to help Ukraine assemble long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
The PM arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning, as Burnham was pictured shaking hands with Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, at a train station in Kyiv.
The PM is also set to chair his first meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing, set up by the UK and France to support Ukraine under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister will also take part in Independence Day events and accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK’s support.
Mr Burnham is set to assure Ukrainians of the UK’s backing and reiterate that Russia’s threats only strengthen British resolve.
Moscow recently threatened “consequences” over the reported use of British drones by Ukraine in its recent ramping up of deep strikes into Russia’s mainland.
Mr Burnham said: “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.
Read more: Ukraine's ousted defence minister calls for wartime elections in bombshell speech
“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.”
The Government has agreed to allow defence firm MBDA to release classified information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile – the French-produced version of the UK’s Storm Shadow.
Both missiles use shared French and British technology, and Ukraine and France are looking to set up local assembly lines for Scalp missiles in Ukraine.
Mr Burnham said: “The friendship between our two countries will long outlast Russia’s illegal war. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries.
“Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”
Burnham welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the UK during his first weeks in office.
Last week, Russia accused the UK of deliberately escalating the conflict in relation to the UK-made drones and said the deeper the country’s involvement became, “the higher the price it will pay”.
Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, has left his post in London in recent weeks.
The Kremlin has not yet put forward a replacement candidate and in the meantime, the charge d’affaires has taken the lead, an embassy spokesman told The Times, raising questions about whether Russia is seeking to downgrade its diplomatic relations with the UK.
Following the Prime Minister's journey to Ukraine, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister met the President of the European Council Antonio Costa on the train to Kyiv last night, as the two leaders travelled into the city to mark Independence Day.
"It was a vital moment to show unity and solidarity with Ukraine, the leaders agreed.
"Turning to the UK’s relationship with the European Union, the two leaders underlined the importance of being ambitious to drive a step change in relations.
"The UK had to be bolder in terms of getting closer to the bloc, the Prime Minister said.
"That included building on the close defence and security ties already forged between the UK and European Allies to drive greater cooperation across all areas of the relationship, he added.
"The UK-EU summit set to be held later this year, would offer a platform to continue that work, the leaders agreed.
"Both looked forward to seeing one and another at the Coalition of the Willing later today."