Ukraine news: UK PM Burnham to visit Kyiv in show of support
Andy Burnham's first trip abroad as PM will see him co-chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing and meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit comes as Ukraine marks its 35th independence day. DW has more.
The UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is set to visit Kyiv on Monday, August 24, 2026, to show support for Ukraine during its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. This visit comes as part of the Coalition of the Willing's pledge to provide substantial military aid and hardware during a morning meeting held ahead of Independence Day activities in the Ukrainian capital.
Burnham, alongside Council of Europe President Antonio Costa, expressed their solidarity with Ukraine, stating that the United Kingdom is with Ukraine "in this struggle all the way, heart and soul." During their visit, Burnham announced that the UK would grant Ukraine access to long-range cruise-missile technology, despite Russia's threats to the UK.
French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing allies remotely, warned that Russia would attempt to escalate conflicts against European countries to deter them from assisting Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have intensified their missile and drone strikes on Russian territory, targeting key military and commercial infrastructure. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the state to take control of any critical infrastructure inadequately protected or slow to repair after attacks.
President Zelenskyy delivered a defiant speech, questioning whether his government's position might create divisions within Ukrainian society and if his government remains stable amid war fatigue. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin signed a decree allowing the Russian state to take control of critical infrastructure facilities if they are not sufficiently protected or repaired quickly enough.
The prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia resulted in the release of 10 Ukrainian prisoners of war, previously listed as missing in action. These soldiers returned via Belarus, and Kyiv confirmed their identities and their service in Donetsk. This prisoner exchange is one of the few areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Russia, with thousands of captives exchanged since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
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