UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to visit Ukraine on Monday for his first overseas trip since taking office, where he is expected to announce British support to help Kyiv expand its domestic production of long-range missiles.
Burnham will co-chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries supporting Ukraine, and is also scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the visit.
According to Burnham’s office, Britain has agreed to allow European missile manufacturer MBDA to share classified information on British-made components used in the SCALP long-range cruise missile.
The move is intended to help France and Ukraine establish local assembly lines for the missile, which incorporates both British and French technology.
“Ukraine’s security is our security,” Burnham said, reaffirming that Britain would continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.
The UK has remained one of Kyiv’s strongest international supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, providing military assistance, economic aid and diplomatic backing.
Britain was also among the first countries to commit Western-made battle tanks and long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine following the invasion. It has pledged more than £25 billion (US$34 billion) in military and civilian assistance so far.
Burnham’s visit comes amid growing concerns over Britain’s continued involvement in the conflict. Moscow warned London last week of possible “consequences” over its supply of drones to Ukraine, accusing Britain of becoming increasingly involved in the war.
The British Prime Minister is expected to use the trip to reassure Ukraine and its international partners that his government will continue playing a leading role in strengthening the country’s security.
The push to increase Ukraine’s domestic missile production also comes as Kyiv steps up its use of long-range drones and strike weapons against Russian oil refineries and logistics facilities located well behind the front lines.
The visit follows Zelenskiy’s trip to Britain in late July, when he became Burnham’s first international guest after the Labour leader was elected Prime Minister a week earlier.
