우크라 방문한 영국 총리 “러, 위협에도 지원 계속할 것”…러시아 “전쟁에 기름 붓는다” 비판

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to assess the city as the "front line protecting European security" and to announce that military aid would continue despite Russian threats. On July 24, Burnham, accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Union Council President Antonio Costa, attended a Memorial Day ceremony at St. Sophia Cathedral, marking Burnham's first foreign visit since taking office.

In his speech, Burnham praised the Ukrainian people's "remarkable resilience" in the face of Russia's invasion and compared the current conflict to the resistance against Nazi Germany during World War II. He stated that "the flame of European freedom was kept alive by our nation in the 20th century and it is now in your hands in the 21st century."

Burnham further emphasized that "even Russia's absurd threats against our country, the UK will continue to support Ukraine." Prior to the visit, Burnham announced that the European multinational defense company MBDA would allow UK-supplied components for the Scalk missile, a long-range surface-to-air missile, to be used in Ukraine and France's production facilities.

The missile, a joint French and UK technology, was supported by France's recent authorization to produce radar, missile, and other military equipment for Ukraine. Zelensky acknowledged the UK's support and presented Burnham with a medal, stating that Ukranians would not submit to the whims of the regime and would resist Russia. Burnham is scheduled to join a virtual meeting of the "Committee of Will," a coalition of countries supporting Ukraine, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The discussion will focus on providing Ukraine with additional anti-missile systems, as Russian ballistic missiles continue to strike Ukrainian cities. In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov harshly criticized the UK's decision, accusing the country of "waging war on this conflict, siding with the Zelensky regime, and plotting in the flames of fire."