The British leader chaired his first meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” to emphasise Britain’s continued support for Ukraine through the provision of long-range SCALP missile blueprints. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the move would add “fuel to the fire” and “prevent any progress in the peace process”. “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it?” Mr Burnham hit back in an address to Ukraine’s European allies on Monday. “Putin is now hoping he can win through a campaign of terror using ballistic missiles against Ukrainian civilians. “This can never be the route to victory, and we need to be clear in sending that message. It means doing everything we can all do, and working with our allies as well, beyond this coalition, to dig into our own stocks of air defence... to protect Ukraine from the missiles that are falling now.” The prime minister compared Ukraine’s battle with Russia to the British fight against Nazi Germany, saying: “My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century; you hold that flame in the 21st.” The European Commission, meanwhile, has approved a further €6.1bn (£5.2bn) in financial aid for Ukraine, to be spent on buying defence systems, including air defence, missiles, ammunition and radars. The latest aid package came after €16bn of previously approved procurement plans, of which €8.35bn had already been disbursed, according to the EU. “As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it,” EC president Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. Burnham challenges Putin on Ukraine trip as UK-Russia tensions grow
Create an account or sign in to comment