UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday alongside several European leaders to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Burnham was photographed at Kyiv railway station shaking hands with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who confirmed that other European leaders would join the visit.
The delegation includes António Costa, president of the European Council; Luc Frieden, prime minister of Luxembourg; Maia Sandu, president of Moldova; and Alar Karis, president of Estonia.
Sybiha welcomed the leaders’ arrival, stressing the importance of international support for Ukraine as the country continues to defend itself against Russia.
“For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds. In times like these, nations learn how important it is to have allies by your side,” Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X announcing their arrival.
“And today, we know for sure who our true friends are.”
During his Kyiv visit, Burnham is expected to announce a significant new step in Britain’s support for Ukraine’s defence industry.
The UK government plans to allow European defence company MBDA to declassify information about British-made components used in the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/Scalp long-range missiles.
The move would allow Ukraine to access information needed to develop its own version of the long-range weapon. It could therefore strengthen the country’s ability to develop and produce advanced weapons at a critical stage of the war.
Burnham’s arrival comes as Ukraine continues to rely on support from European allies while facing ongoing Russian attacks. The presence of several senior European leaders in Kyiv on Independence Day also underlines the continued political backing for Ukraine among its partners.
The planned…
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