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REINO UNIDO UK steps up backing for Ukraine ahead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit
Andy Burnham is set to host the Ukrainian president at Downing Street after pledging continued British support. London is preparing new sanctions, military aid and economic measures targeting Russia.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reaffirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine ahead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to London on Wednesday. Downing Street said Burnham has asked ministers to prepare proposals for further sanctions on Russia, additional military assistance and fiscal packages for Kyiv in the coming weeks.
According to POLITICO Europe, Burnham also urged international allies to tighten pressure on Moscow and called on Vladimir Putin to accept an energy ceasefire before the meeting with the Ukrainian president.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Burnham declined to directly criticize Donald Trump over his deal with Putin, saying he wants to rebuild bridges so that support returns. POLITICO Europe reported that this would be Zelenskyy’s first trip to a European capital since Trump eased sanctions on Russian diesel last Friday.
Among the measures announced, the UK plans to deliver £45 million in surface-to-air missiles and impose a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas exports. It will also speed up the delivery of more than 5,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles to Ukraine under a £1.6 billion, four-year funding package.
The Guardian reported that the faster rollout is meant to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses against a new generation of Russian jet-powered drones, which are faster and harder to shoot down than earlier models.
The Guardian also said Burnham and Zelenskyy have already met twice since the British prime minister took office in July: once in Portsmouth and again during Burnham’s trip to Kyiv in August.
At the same time, the British government will seek broader international backing for restrictions on Russian LNG. POLITICO Europe and The Guardian both reported that John Healey will press that case during International Monetary Fund meetings in Bangkok.
European leaders are also expected to support tougher sanctions on Moscow at Thursday’s European Council summit, amid renewed tensions following Trump’s move to ease restrictions tied to Russian diesel exports.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
