UK PM Burnham Arrives in Kyiv on Independence Day in Show of Solidarity

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday, using the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day to reaffirm Britain's support for the country. The visit marks Burnham's first overseas trip since taking office.

Burnham was greeted at the railway station by Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The two shook hands and posed for photographs before the prime minister departed in a car.

During his stay, Burnham is expected to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chair a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing alongside other international leaders. Several European heads of state and officials have also traveled to the capital for the commemorations, including European Council President Antonio Costa, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, and Estonian President Alar Karis.

According to the prime minister's office, Burnham is set to announce that the UK government has agreed to allow defence company MBDA to release classified information about British components used in the SCALP long-range missile. This move could facilitate joint French-Ukrainian plans to produce the weapon locally in Ukraine.