Burnham's Kyiv visit brings missile blueprints and AI defence pact

Andy Burnham made his first foreign trip as Prime Minister to Kyiv, arriving by train on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day. The visit was heavy with symbolism, as he attended a ceremony marking the country's break from the Soviet Union and met President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a speech, Burnham declared that the UK was with Ukraine "all the way, heart and soul" and that support would not waver despite what he called Russia's "outrageous threats".

The centrepiece of the visit was the announcement that Britain would share the blueprints for the Storm Shadow cruise missile, known as SCALP in France, allowing Ukraine to produce the weapon domestically. The missile has a range of around 150 miles and is designed to strike hardened targets deep inside enemy territory. France had already made a similar commitment, and the UK's decision follows that lead. Burnham also confirmed that Britain would provide blueprints for British components in the missiles, enabling Ukraine to build its own supply.

Alongside the missile technology, the UK and Ukraine signed an agreement to jointly develop artificial intelligence, defence and security tools. This makes the UK the first international partner to access Ukraine's so-called Avengers AI labs, which have been used to develop drone warfare and targeting systems. The deal brings together researchers, engineers and tech firms from both countries, and gives Britain access to Ukraine's operational experience in modern warfare.

Burnham chaired a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelensky used the meeting to press for more air defence systems, particularly Patriot interceptors, which are in short supply after being diverted to the Middle East. Burnham later said he would travel to the US to ask President Donald Trump to provide Ukraine with Patriot missiles, a request that has so far met with ambivalence from the White House.

Russia reacted angrily to the visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of "participating in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime" and of "adding fuel to the fire". Burnham hit back, asking "Who started the fire?" and pointing out that Russia had launched the illegal invasion. The Russian foreign ministry also warned of consequences, and pro-Kremlin media carried threatening language about the British Prime Minister.

The visit was also marked by a personal moment when Burnham was handed a guitar by a Ukrainian soldier and played a song by The Smiths. He accepted an award on behalf of the British people, recognising the UK's support for Ukraine. The trip underlined the continuity of British policy towards Ukraine, following the lead of previous prime ministers, and signalled that the new Labour leader would maintain the country's strong backing for Kyiv.