KYIV, 24 August, 2026 (News Desk): UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to visit Kyiv on his first foreign trip as prime minister, where he will announce a new measure allowing Ukraine access to information needed to produce its own long-range missiles. During his visit, Burnham will chair his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing,” an initiative established by the United Kingdom and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir 4 Starmer, to coordinate international support for Ukraine. Burnham is also expected to accept an award on behalf of the British people in recognition of the UK’s support for Ukraine and participate in events marking Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence. As part of the UK’s continued military support for Kyiv, Burnham will announce that his government has agreed to allow defence company MBDA to declassify information concerning UK components used in the long-range SCALP missile, the French counterpart to Britain’s Storm Shadow. The move is expected to provide Ukraine with greater capability to develop and manufacture long-range weapons domestically as it continues to defend itself against Russian attacks.

Burnham’s visit comes amid a recent escalation in Russian strikes across Ukraine, including an attack on a shopping centre on Friday that reportedly killed at least 16 people. Ahead of his visit, Burnham reaffirmed Britain’s long-term support for Ukraine, saying the Ukrainian people should have no doubt that the UK stands with them “today and for as long as it takes.” He said Britain was proud of its contribution to Ukraine and stressed that UK support would not waver, adding that Ukraine’s security was closely linked to Britain’s own security. Burnham also said the friendship between Ukraine and the UK would outlast Russia’s ongoing war, stressing that Britain would remain committed to supporting Kyiv until a just and lasting peace is achieved.