UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to continue the country’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine as he prepares to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, according to BBC News. The meeting marks Zelensky as the prime minister’s first international visitor since taking office a week ago, a milestone that Downing Street stated illustrates the strength of the relationship between the two nations
as reported by Yahoo.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky on First International Visit
During the visit, the two leaders are scheduled to visit a naval base, where Burnham will announce that the UK is handing over the intellectual property for its new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system. This transfer will enable Ukraine to manufacture the technology at scale, as detailed by irishnews.com. The tablet-sized jammers are designed to block the detection of any drones they are fitted to. The Ministry of Defence has already supplied thousands of these devices to bolster Ukrainian drone operations, and Downing Street indicated the technology will eventually be built into the UK’s next generation of long-range weapons under Project Brakestop, a government program developing low-cost cruise missiles.
Frontline Innovation and Military Personnel Training
Highlighting the strategic value of the equipment, Burnham said in a statement: Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries.
He further emphasized: Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve and we will not back down until we achieve long-lasting and just peace for Ukraine.
As part of Monday’s itinerary, Burnham and Zelensky will meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who spent the past three weeks participating in Exercise Sea Breeze in the UK. According to LBC, the maritime exercise is aimed at strengthening warfighting capabilities and counter-mine measures in the Black Sea.
Continuity in UK Leadership and International Relations
Britain’s financial and military backing of Ukraine has remained constant since Russia’s invasion four years ago, with the UK committing £25bn in funding for the country’s warfighting efforts. In one of his first phone calls after becoming prime minister last Monday, Burnham spoke with Zelensky and invited him to visit the UK at the earliest opportunity. Burnham previously vowed to maintain the resolute support established by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, who visited Kyiv on his final full day as Labour leader and announced fresh funding worth £255m (€300m).
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reinforced the government’s official stance, stating: The UK’s commitment to Ukraine is resolute and steadfast. As Russia continues its barbaric war, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Burnham also told the BBC in his first major interview since taking office that his support is “100%” and that he will do what people in Ukraine believe is necessary.
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