LONDON — UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised that Britain’s support for Ukraine will remain “unwavering” ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is set to become the first international leader to visit him since taking office.
The meeting is expected to highlight the close relationship between the two countries, with Downing Street saying Zelensky’s visit demonstrates the strength of UK-Ukraine ties.
During the visit, the two leaders will travel to a naval base where Prime Minister Burnham will announce that Britain will share the technology behind its new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system with Ukraine. The move will allow Ukraine to manufacture the equipment on a larger scale.
Burnham said Britain would continue standing alongside Ukraine, warning Russia that the UK would not reduce its support until a “long lasting and just peace” is achieved.
The Stone Cloak system is a small electronic device designed to block detection systems on drones, helping protect military operations from enemy surveillance. Thousands of the devices have already been supplied to Ukrainian forces to strengthen their drone capabilities.
The UK government said the technology could also contribute to future British defence projects, including Project Brakestop, a programme aimed at developing lower-cost cruise missiles.
During the visit, Zelensky and Burnham will also meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who have been training in Britain as part of a maritime exercise focused on improving combat skills and counter-mine operations in the Black Sea.
Britain has remained one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, committing around £25 billion in financial and military assistance to help Kyiv defend itself.
The visit follows Burnham’s first phone conversation with Zelensky after becoming prime minister, during which he invited the Ukrainian leader to visit the UK as soon as possible.
Zelensky has previously expressed concerns about political changes among Ukraine’s allies but said he hoped the strong relationship between Ukraine and Britain would continue during and after the war.
The Ukrainian president is expected to use the meeting to strengthen cooperation with the new British government and discuss continued military and diplomatic support against Russia.
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