Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed Britain's long-term commitment to Ukraine, telling President Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK would stand by Kyiv "for as long as it takes" during the Ukrainian leader's visit to Portsmouth. Zelensky became Burnham's first international visitor since the prime minister entered Downing Street, with Burnham describing the meeting as a clear demonstration of Britain's unwavering support for Ukraine. Speaking alongside the Ukrainian president at a naval base on Monday, Burnham said: "To put it simply, Volodymyr, I want you to know that we've got your back, you can count on me and you can count on us. You can count on the UK for as long as it takes." UK pledges continued supportAddressing Zelensky directly, he added: "I am personally with you 100%, Mr President, and I will honour every commitment this country has made to Ukraine in full." Zelensky described ties between the two countries as "stronger than ever", while Burnham said he planned to visit Ukraine soon following what he called a "very warm meeting". Electronic warfare technology sharedDuring the visit, Burnham announced that the UK would share the intellectual property behind its new Stone Cloak electronic warfare system, allowing Ukraine to manufacture the technology on a larger scale. He said the system would improve Ukraine's ability to strike targets while helping to protect Ukrainian lives. The Stone Cloak jammers, roughly the size of a tablet computer, are designed to prevent drones from being detected. Thousands of the devices have already been supplied to Ukrainian forces by the Ministry of Defence to strengthen drone operations. Downing Street also confirmed that, following its deployment in Ukraine, the technology will be incorporated into Britain's next generation of long-range weapons. This includes Project Brakestop, a government programme developing low-cost cruise missiles. Military cooperation and ceasefire callThe two leaders also met more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who had spent the previous three weeks in the UK taking part in Exercise Sea Breeze. The training programme is intended to improve maritime combat skills and counter-mine operations in the Black Sea. Burnham also reiterated Britain's support for securing a "full and unconditional ceasefire" in Ukraine. He said the UK would continue pressing for a ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations, insisting that Ukraine must be directly involved in any talks and that Europe should also have a strong voice. Long-term commitmentBritain has maintained its support for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion four years ago, committing £25 billion to Ukraine's war effort. Burnham had invited Zelensky to Britain during one of his first phone calls after becoming prime minister last week. Zelensky later said on X that he appreciated Britain's continued support for Ukraine and its people. Asked whether political leadership changes in Britain and France concerned him, Zelensky acknowledged the uncertainty but stressed that lasting relations between countries mattered more than individual leaders. "Of course I'm afraid of changes, of course we are afraid because we are in the war each day," he said. "But again the priority is the relation between nations, not just between just people. I'm sure that these relations will not change, or we have to do our best not to lose such very good relations." He added that he hoped Ukraine would never lose its close relationship with the UK during or after the war. Burnham replied: "You won't." Join the discussion? 28 July 2026
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