Andy Burnham has affirmed that the UK will maintain its support for Ukraine, despite what he termed as “outrageous threats” from Russia, during his inaugural official visit to Kyiv as prime minister.
While speaking outside St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, he commended the Ukrainian people for their “sheer strength” in confronting Russia’s aggression.
“My nation preserved the flame of European freedom in the 20th century; you carry that flame into the 21st,” he stated.
“In spite of Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will persist in our support for Ukraine.”
He characterized Ukraine as “Europe’s protector, not a liability to our security but the frontline in safeguarding Europe.”
The prime minister informed reporters that the UK would “never be a fair-weather friend” and emphasized that his visit was intended to demonstrate “unwavering support” for the Ukrainian people.
Burnham arrived in the capital earlier on Monday, where he was welcomed by the country’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha.
After reaching the country by train, Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at Ukraine’s national military cemetery before participating in the independence day celebration at St Sophia.
Prior to his first international trip as prime minister, Burnham revealed that the UK would supply Ukraine with blueprints for the production of long-range Scalp missiles in preparation for the winter months.
He informed broadcasters on Monday that the UK’s support would persist despite threats from Russia.
“We are offering assistance in every possible manner, and we have announced today a licensing agreement that allows Ukraine to manufacture more of its own weapons locally,” he stated.
Burnham further remarked: “We are committed to assisting on every level and in every conceivable way.”
The “deep precision strike” missiles utilize shared French and British technology, and both Ukraine and France are working to establish local assembly lines for their production in Ukraine.
Britain’s backing for Ukrainian strikes has faced criticism from Moscow,