UK PM Andy Burnham to visit Kyiv on Monday as Ukraine marks independence anniversary

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to visit Kyiv on Monday, marking his first international trip since assuming office last month. This visit coincides with Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence from Soviet rule. Burnham, the leader of the Labour Party, has pledged robust support for Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russia's invasion.

The Labour Party leader's visit also sees the announcement that Britain has agreed to allow defence firm MBDA to share classified information about UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP. This will enable Ukraine to establish local assembly lines for the missile, which shares technology with the UK's Storm Shadow. This move was the UK's first to provide Ukraine with long-range strike weapons for defensive purposes in 2023, according to the premier's office at 10 Downing Street.

During his visit to Kyiv, Burnham will co-chair the first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries supporting Kyiv. The French presidency confirmed the meeting will be held in a "hybrid" format, with some participants attending in person and others joining via video conference. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has indicated he will participate remotely.

Burnham emphasized in his statement that "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". This visit comes weeks after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a visit to London, during which the UK announced it would share information on a new electronic jamming capability named "Stone Cloak" with Kyiv.

This technology can hinder Russian air defence systems from tracking and targeting drones in-flight. Britain has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the country's full-scale invasion in 2022, committing around £25 billion (US$34 billion) in support, including £16 billion in military aid.