Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv for his first foreign visit today – as he hands over top secret missile plans.
The PM is in the Ukraine capital for the country’s independence day after travelling overnight by train.
He is announcing that European defence firm MBDA has been given permission to share information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile – the French-produced version of the UK’s Storm Shadow.
The ‘deep precision strike’ missiles use shared French and British technology, and could now be produced in Ukraine.
Andy Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, as part of events marking the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991
The PM is in the Ukraine capital for the country’s independence day after travelling overnight by train
Mr Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, as part of events marking the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
During the ceremony, he spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who told the Prime Minister ‘we are in a war period’ and warned of Ukraine’s difficulties repelling Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Later, Mr Burnham will chair his first meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’, and accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK’s support.
He is also set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was the first foreign leader to visit 10 Downing Street after Mr Burnham took over from Keir Starmer.
It follows the Kremlin warning of ‘consequences’ over UK drones being used by Ukraine to strike far into Russia.
Moscow said the deeper Britain became involved, ‘the higher price it will pay’.
Mr Burnham said: ‘On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, its people should be in no doubt: The UK is behind you.
‘In the fight and the rebuilding to come, we stand with Ukraine. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down till there is a lasting peace.’
But Russia said relations with Britain are at ‘an unprecedentedly low level’ as it ordered its ambassador Andrey Kelin back to Moscow after seven years in post.
Mr Kelin has accused the UK of choosing ‘a path of confrontation’ with Russia.
Mr Burnham said: ‘Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve.
‘We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.’
But his visit comes as Mr Zelensky faces domestic political strife caused by a rift with his former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who was sacked last month after reportedly falling out with the head of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Mr Fedorov, whose sacking triggered weeks of mass protests, has called for Mr Zelensky to hold elections, arguing democracy ‘should not be the hostage of Putin’.
During the ceremony, he spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb (second from left)
He has also called for Mr Zelensky to face questions over what he knew about alleged corruption in his inner circle.
Last week, Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities said they had uncovered a money-laundering plot, leading Mr Zelensky to sack one of his senior officials over their alleged involvement.
The president has denied any involvement, telling reporters over the weekend: ‘The heads of anti-corruption agencies have zero questions for me.
‘They understand perfectly well that I am not involved in anything like that.’
