Andy Burnham addresses tensions with Russia during Kyiv visit
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has hit out at President Vladimir Putin during his first state visit to Kyiv, amid mounting tensions between Russia and the UK, reports BritPanorama.
The British leader chaired his inaugural meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, reaffirming Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine through the provision of long-range missile blueprints.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that the UK’s actions would add “fuel to the fire” and “prevent any progress in the peace process.”
“Who started the fire? That’s the question isn’t it?” Burnham countered in an address to Ukraine’s European allies on Monday. “Putin is now hoping he can win through a campaign of terror using ballistic missiles against Ukrainian civilians.”
He emphasised the need for a united front: “This can never be the route to victory, and we need to be clear in sending that message.” He called for collaboration with allies to bolster air defence systems to protect Ukraine from ongoing missile strikes.
Both Zelensky and Burnham delivered speeches outside Kyiv’s St. Sofia Cathedral, commemorating Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day. “Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine,” Burnham stated.
The prime minister likened Ukraine’s struggle against Russia to Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany, asserting, “My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century; you hold that flame in the 21st.”
This visit marks Burnham’s first significant engagement on the international stage, leading the coalition of 34 countries established by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, to support Ukraine.
Tensions between London and Moscow have escalated over recent weeks, highlighted by the news that Russia had recalled its ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, last month after seven years in the role. A lower-ranking chargé d’affaires has filled the position in his absence, according to an embassy spokesperson.
The recent commitments by Burnham mean that the British government has allowed defence firm MBDA to release classified information and blueprints related to UK components for the long-range Scalp missile, akin to the French-produced Storm Shadow.
Last Tuesday, reports surfaced of British-made drones being employed in Ukraine, prompting Moscow to issue warnings of “consequences” for the UK’s support, claiming that deeper assistance would result in a higher price to pay.
In response, Burnham affirmed, “This is the UK doing what it has long said it would do, which is support Ukraine 100 per cent against this illegal war led by Vladimir Putin.”
The European Commission also announced a further €6.1 billion ($7.12 billion) in aid for Ukraine, aimed at procuring essential defence systems, including air defence, missiles, ammunition, and radars.
This latest aid package builds upon €16 billion in previously approved procurement initiatives, with €8.35 billion already disbursed, according to the EU.
As President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it.”
In further developments, Russian attacks reportedly killed three individuals near Kharkiv overnight. In a related incident, Moscow claimed that debris from a Ukrainian drone resulted in the deaths of two children in Krasnodar.
