Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 27 July. It was the British leader’s first meeting with a foreign head of state since taking office.
Burnham became prime minister about a week earlier, succeeding Keir Starmer. The meeting took place at a naval base in Portsmouth aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, where Ukrainian military personnel are undergoing training.
“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 per cent. I am personally with you 100 per cent, Mr President. And I will honour every commitment this country has made to Ukraine in full,” Burnham said.
The British prime minister also pledged that support for Kyiv would remain unwavering “for as long as it takes.” During the visit, the UK announced it would hand over the intellectual property for its “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system to Ukraine. The technology is designed to protect Ukrainian drones and will allow the country to produce it itself.
Zelensky thanked Burnham for the “important signal of support” and invited the new British prime minister to visit Ukraine. Burnham, in turn, said he intends to do so in the near future.