UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that London will continue to "support Ukraine 100%," emphasizing that Britain's backing is aimed at enabling the country to defend itself rather than pursuing a path of confrontation. His remarks come after Russia warned of "consequences" following confirmation that British-made drones were used in recent Ukrainian strikes within Russia.
Burnham, speaking on Tuesday, maintained that the UK's support is to help Ukraine defend itself, a position consistent with previous British prime ministers. He stated, "We are not fair-weather friends, we will be there in Ukraine's hour of need and that won't change." The Russian embassy in the UK had accused Britain of "deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis," warning that "the deeper its involvement in the conflict... the higher the price it will pay."
Kyiv has recently intensified long-range attacks on Moscow and other Russian regions, targeting oil refineries and warehouses. The latest phase of the war has impacted Russia's domestic fuel supplies and economy. The UK has been a significant supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, providing equipment like drone technology and Storm Shadow missiles.
Burnham's visit to Kyiv coincided with Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, where he pledged unwavering support. He compared Ukraine's resistance to Britain's fight against the Nazis in World War II and was poised to hand over long-range missile blueprints to President Zelenskyy.