Volodymyr Zelensky will become the first world leader to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with the two holding a crunch meeting at a British naval base on Monday. The Ukrainian President is expected to join Mr Burnham at the base, where the PM will share vital know-how to help produce state-of-the-art electronic jammers to block Russian defence systems.
Stone Cloak technology shared
The technology, known as Stone Cloak, allows Ukraine to mass produce devices that prevent its drones being tracked and targeted. Mr Burnham described it as "the best of homegrown British innovation". He said: "Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve, and we will not back down until we achieve long-lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries."
No10 said the UK is sharing the intellectual property for Stone Cloak, which will be built into the next generation of UK deep-strike capabilities. The British military will use the jammers to enhance Project Brakestop – the UK's new low-cost cruise missile. Thousands of the tablet-sized devices have already been gifted to Ukraine to help with drone operations.
Meeting with Ukrainian personnel
During Mr Zelensky's visit, he and Mr Burnham will meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel and sailors who have been training in the UK for the past three weeks. The UK has previously pledged £3 billion a year to Ukraine to help fight Russia for as long as it takes, providing a total of £25 billion in support since 2022.
Burnham on Trump and national interest
It comes as Mr Burnham revealed he was prepared to stand up to Donald Trump if it were in Britain's national interest. In an interview with the BBC, to be screened in full on Monday, he said: "Well, I've had one phone call. I always treat people as I find them, and it was a good exchange. It was, as I said before, a warm exchange." Pressed by journalist Laura Kuenssberg on whether he would be prepared to call out the President if needed, Mr Burnham said: "Of course... all leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That's what you're required to do if you're to do this job properly. I will always put Britain's interests first."
Defence Secretary on US relations
On Sunday, new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he had spoken to US counterpart Pete Hegseth and made clear that the UK position of not allowing US forces to use British bases to launch aggressive strikes on Iran would continue. But he stated the two nations were working together on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively shut by Iran after the US and Israel launched attacks on February 28. Mr Streeting told Sky News: "I was clear that we've not supported offensive action in Iran and we won't support offensive action in Iran, but there are plenty of things that we can and should do together when it comes to securing the Strait of Hormuz, in making sure that Iran doesn't develop nuclear weapons, in terms of investing in our capability and Nato's capability." He said the closure is having a big economic impact and admitted: "But it's hard to undertake that work, of clearing the strait and securing commercial shipping while hostilities continue. And that's why every effort is being made, particularly by allies in the region, to try and bring about the conditions where we can achieve that." Describing relations with the Trump administration he said: "The first thing you do is you don't suck up. And I don't think, my impression is, President Trump, his administration, that's not what they're looking for, actually. He's a straight talker."
Asked if he trusts the US President, the Defence Secretary said: "Well, I don't know him, but I do trust the United States." He said the relationship between the two nations is unlike any in the world.
Chancellor promises 'buy British' drive
At the weekend, John Healey, the new Chancellor, promised a "buy British" blitz within the UK government. He told The Sun: "You will see this as a determined drive that you have not seen before from a British government. Buying British not 'if possible', but by design. So every procurement pound supports British jobs, British apprenticeships and British skills." He pointed out that when he was Defence Secretary, over 86% of the 1,200 major defence contracts handed out went to British firms. The government is yet to set a timetable for reaching 3% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP) on defending the nation. Mr Healey told The Sun this was "not a matter for this first week".
