Burnham's Kyiv visit brings missile blueprints and AI defence pact
Andy Burnham's first foreign trip as PM to Kyiv brings promises of Storm Shadow missile technology and a new AI defence agreement with Ukraine.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Andy Burnham made his first foreign trip as Prime Minister to Kyiv, arriving by train on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day. The visit was heavy with symbolism, as he attended a ceremony marking the country's break from the Soviet Union and met President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a speech, Burnham declared that the UK was with Ukraine "all the way, heart and soul" and that support would not waver despite what he called Russia's "outrageous threats".
The centrepiece of the visit was the announcement that Britain would share the blueprints for the Storm Shadow cruise missile, known as SCALP in France, allowing Ukraine to produce the weapon domestically. The missile has a range of around 150 miles and is designed to strike hardened targets deep inside enemy territory. France had already made a similar commitment, and the UK's decision follows that lead. Burnham also confirmed that Britain would provide blueprints for British components in the missiles, enabling Ukraine to build its own supply.
Alongside the missile technology, the UK and Ukraine signed an agreement to jointly develop artificial intelligence, defence and security tools. This makes the UK the first international partner to access Ukraine's so-called Avengers AI labs, which have been used to develop drone warfare and targeting systems. The deal brings together researchers, engineers and tech firms from both countries, and gives Britain access to Ukraine's operational experience in modern warfare.
Burnham chaired a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelensky used the meeting to press for more air defence systems, particularly Patriot interceptors, which are in short supply after being diverted to the Middle East. Burnham later said he would travel to the US to ask President Donald Trump to provide Ukraine with Patriot missiles, a request that has so far met with ambivalence from the White House.
Russia reacted angrily to the visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of "participating in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime" and of "adding fuel to the fire". Burnham hit back, asking "Who started the fire?" and pointing out that Russia had launched the illegal invasion. The Russian foreign ministry also warned of consequences, and pro-Kremlin media carried threatening language about the British Prime Minister.
The visit was also marked by a personal moment when Burnham was handed a guitar by a Ukrainian soldier and played a song by The Smiths. He accepted an award on behalf of the British people, recognising the UK's support for Ukraine. The trip underlined the continuity of British policy towards Ukraine, following the lead of previous prime ministers, and signalled that the new Labour leader would maintain the country's strong backing for Kyiv.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | BBC Two | Channel 4 | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham's first international trip as Prime Minister was to Ukraine, where he carried classified British missile technology, including secret designs for Scalp missiles for production in Ukraine. | · | |||||||
| Burnham promised to help Ukraine produce Storm Shadow cruise missiles that can strike deep inside Russia. | · | |||||||
| Russia accused the UK of escalating tensions. | · | · | ||||||
| The Kremlin said Britain is taking part in the war on Ukraine's side. | · | · | ||||||
| Burnham will chair a session of the coalition of the willing, with French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz attending. | · | · | · | |||||
| Burnham said UK support for Ukraine is unwavering. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Russia warned of consequences for the UK, and the Russian ambassador to London has left and not been replaced. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Burnham will ask President Trump to supply Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| Russia recalled its ambassador to Ukraine, Andrei Kelin, with no replacement announced. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| US President Trump previously suggested Ukraine could produce Patriot missiles but later said it would be hard to share the technology. | · | · | · | · | · | · | ||
| A drone strike hit Chernihiv on Independence Day. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Andy Burnham delayed a decision on North Sea drilling, citing the optics of embracing fossil fuels. | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News did not cover the Ukraine visit, instead focusing on domestic criticism of Andy Burnham's premiership, including his perceived flip-flopping on North Sea oil and immigration. The channel used the story as a springboard to attack his leadership style.
- “Andy Burnham has been Prime Minister for a matter of weeks. You could do it in days, actually.”
- “I think he's going to fudge it.”
ITV News focused on the significance of the visit as Burnham's first foreign trip, highlighting the missile blueprint transfer and the symbolism of the Independence Day ceremony. They also reported on Russia's reaction and Burnham's response.
- “Essentially, Britain is releasing its secret designs for parts of the French missiles, the scalp missiles.”
- “The Prime Minister today pledged Britain's unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia as he visited Kiev on his first official overseas trip.”
BBC News provided extensive coverage, including analysis from experts on the military significance of the missile technology transfer and the broader context of Ukraine's air defence needs. They also reported on Burnham's planned trip to the US to lobby for Patriot missiles.
- “The Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be visiting Ukraine's capital today on his first overseas trip as UK Prime Minister.”
- “Andy Burnham will travel to the US to lobby Donald Trump on Ukraine's defence needs after his first official visit to Kyiv as prime minister.”
Sky News highlighted the AI defence agreement as a key part of the visit, alongside the missile blueprints. They also emphasised the reciprocal benefits for the UK, including access to Ukraine's AI technology and operational experience.
- “Britain and Ukraine have signed an agreement to jointly develop artificial intelligence, defence and security tools.”
- “If there had been any doubts about Andy Burnham's commitment to the Ukrainian cause, he has in one day dispelled them.”
BBC One West focused on the local angle of the police officers' deaths, but also covered the Ukraine visit with a report from Dan Johnson, emphasising Burnham's message of unwavering support and the missile technology transfer.
- “Andy Burnham has been in Ukraine on his first official trip overseas as Prime Minister. He's promised to maintain UK support in the war with Russia despite what he called outrageous threats coming from the Kremlin.”
- “He also confirmed the UK would help Ukraine build its own supply of cruise missiles.”
Channel 4 News covered the visit with a focus on the symbolism and the urgent need for air defence, noting the absence of American leadership. They also reported on Burnham's unscripted guitar moment.
- “Andy Burnham has declared that the UK will continue to stand with Ukraine in the dark and in the light.”
- “He promised to share classified blueprints so Ukraine can build its own Storm Shadow missiles.”
5 News covered the visit as part of its main bulletin, highlighting Burnham's pledge of support and the Russian reaction. They also noted the significance of the first foreign trip.
- “The PM pledged to continue to support Kiev with heart and soul in its war with Russia.”
- “And today he promised to provide blueprints for British components in missiles to use in the fight.”
Newsnight provided in-depth analysis of the escalatory nature of the missile technology transfer, including an interview with a former Russian deputy foreign minister who warned of potential retaliation. They also discussed the domestic political implications.
- “Russia accuses Andy Burnham of adding fuel to the fire with his decision to share missile blueprints with Ukraine.”
- “He's on his first foreign trip as Prime Minister to Kiev where he took part in a ceremony to mark Ukraine's Independence Day and he came bearing gifts, the blueprints for British components for cruise missiles.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.