Burnham likens Ukraine fight to British stand against Nazis
Andy Burnham's first trip abroad as prime minister includes co-chairing a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing and holding talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit comes on Ukraine's Independence Day. DW has more.
On Monday, August 24, 2026, European allies came together to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union, as Kyiv endured an ongoing battle for survival against Russia's invasion. The Kremlin vowed severe repercussions for any actions against Ukraine and its allies, while its missiles and drones continued to inflict casualties among the Ukrainian population, pushing death tolls to unprecedented levels since the invasion's commencement in February 2022.
In Kyiv, the Coalition of the Willing, comprising 30 members, pledged substantial military aid, hardware, and increased cooperation in production during their morning meeting, preceding Independence Day festivities.
During his visit to Kyiv alongside Council of Europe President Antonio Costa, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham hailed Ukraine as "Europe's protector" and reassured Zelenskyy that the UK and the Coalition stand by Ukraine "all the way, heart and soul." Burnham pledged to grant Kyiv access to long-range cruise-missile technology, despite Russia's threats against his nation.
French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing allies remotely, cautioned that Russia would attempt to escalate aggression against European countries to deter assistance for Ukraine, urging NATO member states to prepare accordingly.
Meanwhile, Ukraine intensified its missile and drone strikes on Russian territory, focusing on key military and commercial infrastructure like logistics warehouses and oil storage facilities. This offensive prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to authorize the state to take control of infrastructure deemed insufficiently protected or slow to repair after attacks.
President Zelenskyy delivered a defiant address on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, sparking concerns about potential divisions within Ukrainian society and the stability of his government amid war fatigue. Russian President Putin signed a decree granting the state authority to seize control of critical infrastructure if operators fail to safeguard them or repair damage post-attacks.
The ongoing drone attacks on oil refineries and warehouses have sparked debates over Wildberries' role in supplying Russia's military, while Russian President Putin announced plans to rebuild damaged commercial warehouses in Minsk.
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