Zelenskyy to meet Burnham in London as Kyiv seeks more help against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to visit London on Wednesday for talks with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as Kyiv and its European allies seek to strengthen Ukraine’s defences against intensifying Russian attacks and uncertainty over US support.

Burnham’s office said the British government would provide “urgent support” to Kyiv in the coming weeks and accelerate deliveries of air defence missiles that Ukraine urgently needs ahead of winter.

Ukraine and its European supporters are racing to bolster the country’s defences as Russia intensifies its bombardment and concerns grow over the Trump administration’s commitment to helping Kyiv repel Moscow’s invasion, which began in February 2022.

US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel has further unsettled Ukrainian and European leaders. The decision came as Western countries continued efforts to impose sanctions on Russia and isolate Putin.

The move added to a series of instances in which Trump has appeared to favour the Russian leader while distancing himself from Zelenskyy.

Burnham, however, reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Ukraine ahead of the visit.

“My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for as long as it takes, and we will go further and faster in our support to back your courageous fight for peace in Europe,” he said.

Analysts said Trump’s decision had reinforced European determination to maintain support for Kyiv.

“Ahead of a tough winter for Ukraine, Donald Trump’s swing back toward Russia bodes ill,” Rym Momtaz of Carnegie Europe wrote in an assessment on Tuesday. “But instead of panicking, Kyiv’s European allies are focusing on action.”

Britain, like the European Union, is also considering further sanctions against Russia.

London has called on Moscow to observe a partial ceasefire announced by Trump and halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is observing the energy ceasefire.

Burnham’s first foreign trip after becoming leader in July was to Kyiv, where he offered to share technology for producing long-range missiles. Russia subsequently accused Britain of participating in the war on Ukraine’s side.