Prime Minister Andy Burnham has used Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK to reaffirm British support for Ukraine, saying the country could rely on Britain “for as long as it takes”, BBC News reported.
Speaking at a naval base in Portsmouth on Monday, Burnham said the Ukrainian president’s visit was intended to underline the UK’s continuing backing. He told Zelensky he was personally “with you 100%” and said the government would honour commitments already made to Ukraine.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s relationship with the UK was “stronger than ever”. Burnham said he planned to visit Ukraine “soon” after what he described as a warm meeting.
The prime minister also announced that the UK would share the intellectual property behind its new Stone Cloak electronic warfare system, allowing Ukraine to produce the technology at scale. Burnham said the equipment would help Ukraine strike targets and protect lives.
According to the BBC, Stone Cloak jammers are tablet-sized devices designed to stop drones fitted with them from being detected. The Ministry of Defence has already supplied thousands to Ukrainian forces to support drone operations.
Downing Street said the technology would later be incorporated into the UK’s next generation of long-range weapons, including Project Brakestop, a programme to develop low-cost cruise missiles.
During the visit, Burnham and Zelensky met more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who had been in the UK for a three-week maritime exercise. Exercise Sea Breeze is focused on strengthening warfighting capability and counter-mine measures in the Black Sea.
Burnham said the UK would continue to support efforts towards a “full and unconditional ceasefire”, while pushing for renewed negotiations involving Ukraine and a strong European voice.
BBC News reported that the UK has committed £25bn to Ukraine’s warfighting efforts since Russia’s invasion four years ago. Burnham spoke to Zelensky shortly after becoming prime minister last Monday and invited him to visit the UK at the earliest opportunity.
