Zelenskyy meets new UK leader Burnham in Portsmouth to secure air defense and drone tech support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Britain on Monday for a meeting with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since Burnham took office a week ago. The meeting, held at a naval base in Portsmouth on England’s south coast, is intended to signal Britain’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine, according to Burnham.
During their meeting, Zelenskyy and Burnham discussed joint drone projects and Ukraine’s urgent need for ballistic missile interceptors to counter Russian attacks. Burnham announced that the U.K. will give Ukraine the intellectual property behind its new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system, which is capable of jamming Russian air defenses to stop drones from being detected.
Zelenskyy stated that the key priorities for the meeting were air defense, maritime security, and joint defense production. The two leaders also met with more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who have been undergoing training in Britain to strengthen their fighting capabilities and measures to counter mines in the Black Sea.
This visit comes a day before Zelenskyy is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Zelenskyy’s visit to Britain is his first meeting with Burnham since the latter took office, making Burnham the fifth British prime minister Zelenskyy has dealt with since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Burnham emphasized the importance of the meeting, stating, “You are the first leader I have welcomed in person since taking office, and that is no accident. It is intended to send a very clear message: we are with Ukraine 100%, I am personally with you 100%, and I will honor every commitment this country has made to Ukraine in full.”
Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for the support, saying, “The relationship between our countries is stronger than ever.” He also mentioned that the leaders discussed “joint defense production” and hoped to build a “big, big factory” in Britain.
The visit comes as Ukraine has expanded its campaign of drone attacks deep inside Russia, targeting oil facilities, military factories, and logistical centers. Russia has responded by intensifying its aerial campaign, regularly bombarding Ukraine with missiles and drones. Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine with 147 long-range drones, according to the Ukrainian air force, which said it intercepted or jammed 123 of them.
Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, visited Kyiv less than two weeks ago in his last overseas trip before leaving office. Burnham has pledged that Britain’s support for Ukraine “will not waver” and has consistently expressed pro-Ukrainian views.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Britain is part of a broader effort to maintain close ties with one of Ukraine’s strongest international backers amid Russia’s ongoing war. The United Kingdom has provided military, financial, and diplomatic support to Ukraine throughout the conflict.
In addition to meeting with Burnham, Zelenskyy also met with Ukrainian soldiers stationed in the U.K. The visit underscores the strong relationship between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, which has been bolstered by the war in Ukraine.
The meeting between Zelenskyy and Burnham comes at a critical time as Ukraine continues to face intense attacks from Russia. The support from the U.K. and other allies is crucial for Ukraine’s defense capabilities and overall resilience in the face of the ongoing conflict.
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 2
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
8 further sources not geolocated
Articles
Pres. Zelenskyy visits Britain and meets new Prime Minister Burnham Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Britain to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham at a naval base in England
abcnews · about 11 hours ago
Why Tokayev Urged Putin to Freeze the War in Ukraine - The Times Of Central Asia
gdeltproject.org · about 11 hours ago
Putin refuses to host Pashinyan at Kremlin, Armenian analyst says
gdeltproject.org · about 11 hours ago
Burnham hugs Zelenskyy close in first test on world stage Britains new prime minister said he will visit Ukraine soon after a "warm" meeting with the countrys president.
politico.eu · about 11 hours ago
Putin expands the size of Russias army for the sixth time since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine #Meduza #Ukraine #Russia #Putin
mastodon bot · about 11 hours ago
⚡️ Zelensky arrives in UK for 1st meeting with new Prime Minister Burnham. "The key priorities are air defense, maritime security, and joint defense production — our cooperation that strengthens both countries," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
bluesky_Kyiv Independent · about 11 hours ago
Putin has increased the Russian army for the third time this year. Russian media reports that Putin has signed a decree to increase the Russian Armed Forces by 27,000 military personnel starting August 1. The stated reason was the "creation of military-construction units," and of course, everyone believed it.
telegram_WarTranslated · about 11 hours ago
🇷🇺⚡️ — The authorized strength of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has been set at 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 military personnel. The decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. @IntelSlava
telegram_Intel Slava · about 11 hours ago
All of this has to be stopped: Kazakh president calls for war in Ukraine to be frozen at meeting with Putin.
telegram_Meduza · about 11 hours ago
Britain new leader is set to host Zelenskyy , signaling united kingdom support for Kyiv
gdelt bot · about 11 hours ago
Zelenskyy visits Britain as new PM signals more support for Kyiv
gdelt bot · about 11 hours ago
Zelenskyy on Iranian threats: Theyve already attacked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pointed out that Iran and North Korea have already attacked Ukraine by supplying Russia with weapons, military technology and troops.
ukrpravda · about 11 hours ago
Polish defence minister reiterates that Ukraine will not reach EU "under banner of Bandera" Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Poland, has reiterated that Ukraines current attitude towards its history could become a serious obstacle on its path to the EU.
ukrpravda · about 11 hours ago
Zelenskyy arrives in UK to meet new PM Burnham, visit Ukrainian troops Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the UK for talks with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, becoming the first foreign leader to visit Britain since Burnham took office. He said air defense, maritime security and joint defence production are key priorities.
yenisafak · about 11 hours ago
Brytyjski wywiad: Rosja może testować NATO. "W ciągu miesięcy" Władimir Putin przygotowuje bezpośrednią próbę sił z NATO, wykorzystując zmianę na Downing Street i zaangażowanie Donalda Trumpa w konflikt z Iranem - ostrzegają źródła brytyjskiego wywiadu cytowane przez "Mail on Sunday". Nowy premier Andy Burnham ma zostać "przetestowany" przez Kreml, a Moskwa już teraz zmienia trasy swojej "floty cieni" i prowadzi demonstracyjne manewry u wybrzeży Wielkiej Brytanii.
gazeta.pl · about 11 hours ago
Ex-Kremlin Loyalist Ilya Remeslo Placed in Moscow Psychiatric Facility Remeslo previously spent a month at a psychiatric hospital in St. Petersburg between March and April after he publicly denounced President Vladimir Putin for mishandling the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
themoscowtimes · about 11 hours ago
Europe Must Learn From Ukraines Example, Top EU Defense Official Says We were looking at how to support Ukraine—now we are looking at how Ukraine can support us.
foreignpolicy.com · about 12 hours ago
Burnham welcomes Ukraines Zelenskyy as his first foreign visitor as PM – video #UkraineBurnham welcomes Ukraines Zel...
mastodon bot · about 12 hours ago
Zelenskyy arrives in Britain and meets new prime minister – video President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting the United Kingdom on 27 July, where he will hold his first meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham since his election.
ukrpravda · about 12 hours ago
„Se formează o nouă ordine mondială şi e în joc soarta ruşilor. Putin lasă de înțeles că este pe picior de război cel puţin încă trei ani Duşmanii Rusiei nu pot învinge ţara pe plan militar şi recurg la metode teroriste, a declarat luni președintele rus Vladimir Putin, potrivit discursului rostit în cadrul unei întâlniri la Kremlin cu membrii celei de-a opta Dume de Stat (camera inferioară a parlamentului rus), care se pregătesc să-şi încheie mandatul înainte de alegerile parlamentare din septembrie. …
hotnews.ro · about 12 hours ago
Kremlin rejects Kazakh proposal to freeze Ukraine war Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow cannot accept Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs proposal to freeze hostilities, insisting that Kyiv must withdraw from Donbas and abandon NATO plans before any ceasefire can take hold.
yenisafak · about 12 hours ago
Zelenskyy: Russia seeks 30,000 North Korean troops for war Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia is seeking to deploy an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to bolster its war efforts, warning that Pyongyang is preparing to transfer new ballistic missile launchers to Moscow and that such cooperation poses a threat to all of Asia.
yenisafak · about 12 hours ago
Ukraine backs Kazakh call to freeze war with Russia Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has welcomed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs proposal to freeze hostilities with Russia, describing the initiative as a realistic path to peace while warning that Moscow continues to reject diplomatic solutions.
yenisafak · about 12 hours ago
„Mă gândesc mereu la asta. Putin cere rușilor să înțeleagă importanța războiului și dă vina pe Lenin pentru conflictul din Donbas Președintele Vladimir Putin a declarat că este necesar să se consolideze sprijinul societății ruse pentru războiul împotriva Ucrainei. El a făcut această declarație în cadrul unei întâlniri cu militarii din Marina Militară.
digi24 · about 12 hours ago
Debate: Kazakhstan calls on Putin to freeze the war Kazakhstan is widely regarded as Russias silent ally. But now its president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has called on Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin to end the fighting in Ukraine. At a summit in Omsk, Russia, at which both leaders were present, he urged Putin to freeze the conflict, adding that the causes of the war, which has resulted in heavy losses for both sides, was incomprehensible.
eurotopics.net · about 12 hours ago
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Burnham tells Zelensky UK has got your back in first meeting since becoming PM Zelensky met new UK PM Andy Burnham before he flies to Washington DC to see Trump on Tuesday
independent · about 12 hours ago
Zelensky arrives in UK for talks with Burnham ahead of Trump meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the UK on Monday for talks with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with Britain set to offer Kyiv fresh help to breach Russian air defences. The key priorities are air defence, maritime security, and joint defence production, Zelensky said in a social media post on his arrival. Over the years of the full-scale war, we have built the strongest relationship in the entire history of cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The UK is...
south china morning post · about 12 hours ago
🇺🇦 🇬🇧 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Britain to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who used his first bilateral with a foreign leader to underline Londons "unwavering support" for Kyiv. ➡️ u.afp.com/Sruy
bluesky_AFP English · about 12 hours ago
Andy Burnham pledged a close partnership between the U.K. and Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelenskyy became the first world leader to meet Britains new prime minister.
bluesky_Politico Europe · about 12 hours ago
In London Playbook PM: 🏠 Andy Burnham ruled out scrapping stamp duty — for now. 🤝 The PM got his first meeting with a foreign leader, sharing good vibes with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 📊 Westminster got pretty excited about one opinion poll. Dig in 👇
bluesky_Politico Europe · about 12 hours ago