The Kremlin has warned of an escalation in tensions between the UK and Russia as Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv to present Ukraine with newly declassified blueprints to allow Ukraine to improve its production of long-range missiles. In his first trip abroad as the prime minister, Burnham will give Ukraine previously classified information on the British manufactured components for long-range cruise missiles. Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the exchange would add “fuel to the fire” and scupper any moves towards a peace deal.
Burnham will join a conference call while in Kyiv with 34 leaders in the coalition of the willing, countries that have promised to help keep Ukraine secure in the event of a truce with Russia. Moscow said it would identify and destroy the locations of missile production sites. The prime minister’s decision to declassify the information about the UK-made components of the Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles will enable Ukraine to eventually build its own version, though this may take years.
En route to Kyiv, Burnham said to Ukraine: “The UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes.” He added: “I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries.
We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.” Kyiv has said Russia is amassing more ballistic missiles and considering whether to mobilise an extra 300,000 soldiers. The missiles have been used to bomb Ukrainian infrastructure and warehouses, and to attack the capital, causing increased civilian casualties. There is a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors, the only weapon that can effectively counter them.
The UK has also announced it will help France set up assembly lines in Ukraine for long-range missiles, which the French president, Emmanuel Macron, promised last month. It has also previously announced that it will allow Ukraine to launch attacks with British-made drones, prompting warnings from Moscow that the UK will pay a “high price.” Russia has withdrawn its ambassador to the UK, with no replacement in sight. The long-serving ambassador, Andrey Kelin, left last month after seven years in post, according to the Russian embassy in London.
A spokesperson said that relations had “deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London’s initiative”. Details of the Independence Day commemorations have not been made public amid fears of a Russian attack. Macron and the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will attend the coalition of the willing meeting by video link.
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