Dr. Shariful Haque Priom

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday in his first meeting with a foreign leader since taking office, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine and announcing expanded defense cooperation between the two countries.

The high-profile meeting came just one week after Burnham assumed office, signaling that continued support for Ukraine will remain a central pillar of Britain’s foreign and security policy. During the visit, the two leaders toured a British naval base and met members of the British and Ukrainian armed forces involved in military training programs aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

In a statement issued by Downing Street, Burnham pledged to maintain what he described as the “unbreakable bond” between Britain and Ukraine, echoing the assurances he gave President Zelensky during a telephone conversation shortly after succeeding former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering,” Burnham said. He stressed that the United Kingdom would continue supporting Kyiv until a “long-lasting and just peace” is achieved, adding that Russia should have “no doubt” about Britain’s determination to stand by Ukraine.

A key announcement during the visit was Britain’s decision to share with Ukraine the intellectual property behind a newly developed electronic warfare system known as Stone Cloak. Roughly the size of a tablet computer, the device can be attached to drones and is designed to jam Russian air defense systems, making it more difficult for them to detect and target unmanned aircraft in flight.

According to Downing Street, the technology has been successfully tested under battlefield conditions and is the result of growing defense cooperation between London and Kyiv under the 100-year partnership agreement signed in January last year.

Thousands of Stone Cloak jamming units have already been supplied to Ukraine to support its expanding drone operations, which have become a critical component of the country’s military strategy. British officials said the technology will also be integrated into the next generation of the UK’s deep-strike capabilities after it enters mass production in Ukraine.

Describing the innovation as an example of “homegrown British ingenuity,” Burnham said Stone Cloak would strengthen the security of both countries while helping Ukrainian forces maintain an operational advantage against Russian air defenses.

During the visit, Burnham and Zelensky also met approximately 200 Ukrainian military personnel and sailors who have spent the past three weeks in Britain participating in maritime security and counter-mine warfare exercises. The training is intended to prepare Ukrainian forces for future operations in the strategically important Black Sea, where maritime security remains a significant concern amid the ongoing war.

The United Kingdom remains one of Ukraine’s strongest international supporters. According to Downing Street, British assistance to Kyiv has reached £25 billion (approximately $33 billion) since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago. Of that total, £16 billion has been provided in direct military assistance, including weapons, training, intelligence support, and defense equipment.

The meeting also preceded Zelensky’s planned visit to Washington on Tuesday, where he is expected to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on continued international support for Ukraine and broader security issues.

While in the United States, the Ukrainian president is also expected to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime advocate of strong American support for Ukraine who died earlier this month.

The series of diplomatic engagements underscores Kyiv’s continued efforts to strengthen ties with key Western allies as the war with Russia continues, while Britain’s latest commitments highlight London’s intention to deepen military cooperation and technological collaboration with Ukraine under Prime Minister Burnham’s new government.