UK Pledges Energy and Air Defence Aid to Ukraine at UN Gathering
Britain will contribute to Ukraine's energy infrastructure and explore low-cost air defence options, PM Andy Burnham said during talks with President Zelenskyy in New York.
Britain has committed fresh support to Ukraine in the areas of energy infrastructure and air defence, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that London's position remains unchanged.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, where Burnham said a contribution toward Ukraine's energy infrastructure would be followed by a further package to be finalised in the coming weeks.
On air defence, Burnham said Britain was working with partners to find a solution, pointing to innovative and lower-cost systems being developed by smaller UK companies that could prove useful to Kyiv.
With winter approaching, Burnham said he had raised the idea of an energy ceasefire on both sides with US President Donald Trump, arguing that such a step should be pursued to prevent the coming months from becoming catastrophic for Ukrainian living standards.
He also described the Graham Bill signed the previous week as a significant display of American solidarity with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy thanked Britain for its continued backing, saying the country had consistently stood on the side of truth. He expressed appreciation for the support packages delivered so far, including the Storm Shadow missiles, which he described as a unique and highly effective instrument for defence.
The Ukrainian president also noted that the two sides were working on a small air defence project, which he called good and important. He warned during the talks of a new Russian attack.
Burnham, for his part, said Britain understood the challenges Ukraine faces, adding that while Kyiv is on the frontline, it is defending the rest of Europe.