UK prime minister visits Kyiv to reaffirm support for Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham flew to Kyiv on August 24, 2026, for his first foreign trip in office. He met President Zelenskyy on Ukraine's 35th independence day. Burnham co-chaired a major meeting of countries supporting Ukraine during the visit. The UK announced it will help France build assembly lines in Ukraine to produce long-range missiles. Zelenskyy has asked for 300 Patriot interceptors to protect Ukraine through the winter. Burnham said Britain will keep supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes." Britain has given more than £25 billion in military and civilian aid so far. Russia recently withdrew its ambassador from London. Russian strikes have continued, including a recent attack on a shopping centre that killed at least 16 people.