Andy Burnham meets Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (Image: PA)
Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK sends a “very clear message” in support of Ukraine, the Prime Minister has said.
Andy Burnham insisted it was “no accident” the Ukrainian president was his first international visitor since entering No 10, in a move intended to highlight the Government’s continued support for Kyiv under his premiership.
The Prime Minister said the UK could be counted on “for as long as it takes”.
Mr Burnham announced that he plans to visit Ukraine “soon”, but did not indicate when.
Speaking during a visit to a naval base in Portsmouth with Mr Zelensky on Monday, Mr Burnham said: “Volodymyr, you are the first leader I have welcomed in person since taking office, and that is no accident.
“It is intended to send a very clear message: we are with Ukraine 100%, I am personally with you 100%, and I will honour every commitment this country has made to Ukraine in full.”
Mr Zelensky responded that the relationship between the two countries is “stronger than ever”, thanking the Prime Minister for his commitment.
Speaking to reporters, the Prime Minister was asked about his meeting with Mr Zelensky.
He responded: “We’ve taken away some things that we will now follow up with our partners.
“Overall, it was a very warm meeting. I thought I would get on well with him, and I did. We got on very well indeed, and this is going to be a close partnership. I intend to visit soon.”
Mr Burnham announced that Britain will hand over the intellectual property behind its new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system, enabling Ukraine to produce the technology at scale.
The tablet-sized device is designed to block Russian detection of any drones it is fitted to.
The move will help drones “hit their targets and save Ukrainian lives”, the Prime Minister said.
Before the pair met, Mr Zelensky said he wanted to have a “productive bilateral meeting where we will speak about all sorts of things” with Mr Burnham.
He said: “We did a lot with Keir [Starmer], and we need to carry on, open a new chapter in our relations. For example, the drone deal. I want to build a big factory in Britain based on new technologies, share them with our partners. We are ready to share all our experience with the UK.
“I hope that the UK will do the same. We need to make this drone deal very strong. When we meet, I will be talking not only about our needs, but also about how we see our bilateral relations in the future. What we can do together to strengthen both Ukraine and the UK.”
Mr Burnham spoke to Mr Zelensky in one of his first calls after taking office last Monday and invited the Ukrainian leader to visit “at the earliest opportunity”.
Sir Keir visited Kyiv on his final full day as Labour leader.
Mr Burnham used an interview over the weekend to reiterate that the Government stood behind its previous pledge to spend 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence by 2035.
Speaking to the BBC’s Panorama programme, Mr Burnham said both he and Chancellor John Healey – the former defence secretary – were working towards ensuring the defence investment plan was “fully funded” ahead of the Budget in the autumn.
He said: “I’m absolutely committed to what we’ve promised our NATO partners.”