Burnham criticises Putin during Kyiv visit amid rising tensions
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin during his first state visit to Kyiv, amid mounting tensions between Moscow and London, reports BritPanorama.
During the visit, the British leader chaired his inaugural meeting of the “coalition of the willing,” emphasising Britain’s steadfast support for Ukraine through the provision of long-range SCALP missile blueprints.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by stating that the UK’s actions would add “fuel to the fire” and hinder any progress in the peace process.
“Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it?” Burnham asserted during an address to Ukraine’s European allies. “Putin is now hoping he can win through a campaign of terror using ballistic missiles against Ukrainian civilians. This can never be the route to victory, and we need to be clear in sending that message. It means doing everything we can all do, and working with our allies as well, beyond this coalition, to dig into our own stocks of air defence… to protect Ukraine from the missiles that are falling now.”
Both Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered speeches outside Kyiv’s St Sofia Cathedral, marking the country’s 35th year of independence. Zelenskyy reaffirmed support for Ukraine, despite ongoing threats from Russia.
Burnham compared Ukraine’s struggle against Russia to Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany, stating, “My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century; you hold that flame in the 21st.” This visit represents his first significant appearance on the international stage as part of the coalition of 34 countries established by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, to support Ukraine.
Tensions between London and Moscow have escalated recently following the revelation that Russia withdrew its ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, last month. A lower-ranking chargé d’affaires is currently leading the Moscow embassy in his absence, as stated by an embassy spokesperson to The Times.
The latest support announced by Burnham allows the British government to grant defence firm MBDA permission to release classified information and blueprints on UK components for the long-range SCALP missile, which is equivalent to the French-produced Storm Shadow.
Last week, reports emerged of British-made drones being utilized in Ukraine, prompting Moscow to issue threats of “consequences” for the UK’s support, warning that increased assistance would result in a higher price to pay. Burnham reiterated the UK’s unwavering commitment, stating, “This is the UK doing what it has long said it would do, which is to support Ukraine 100 per cent against this illegal war led by Vladimir Putin.”
In a separate development, the European Commission has approved a further €6.1 billion (£5.2 billion) in financial aid for Ukraine, designated for purchasing defence systems, including air defence, missiles, ammunition, and radars.
This latest aid package follows €16 billion of previously approved procurement plans, with €8.35 billion already disbursed, according to the EU. “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,” stated EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
In other war-related news, Russian attacks claimed the lives of three people near Kharkiv overnight on Sunday, according to the region’s governor, while Moscow reported that debris from a Ukrainian drone killed two children in Russia’s Krasnodar.
