Prime Minister Andy Burnham has arrived in Ukraine to underline the UK's support for the country on his first foreign trip as Prime Minister. His visit coincides with Ukraine's 35th independence day, with other world leaders travelling to Kyiv in a show of solidarity.
Wreath-laying and talks with Finnish President
On Monday morning, Mr Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, as part of events marking the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. During the ceremony, he spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who told the Prime Minister "we are in a war period" and warned of Ukraine's difficulties repelling Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Coalition of the willing and missile blueprint sharing
Later, Mr Burnham is expected to chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing", set up by the UK and France to help Ukraine under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, and accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK's support. He is also set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was the first foreign leader to visit 10 Downing Street after Mr Burnham took over from Sir Keir.
Ahead of the trip, Mr Burnham announced that the UK would help Ukraine produce long-range Scalp missiles by sharing blueprints for its British components with Kyiv. The weapons are the French-produced versions of the UK's Storm Shadow, which Ukraine has been using to hit targets in Russia, and Kyiv and Paris are looking to set up local assembly lines to produce them in the country.
Domestic political strife in Ukraine
But his visit comes as Mr Zelensky faces domestic political strife caused by a rift with his former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who was sacked last month after reportedly falling out with the head of Ukraine's armed forces. Mr Fedorov, whose sacking triggered weeks of mass protests, has called for Mr Zelensky to hold elections, arguing democracy "should not be the hostage of Putin". He has also called for Mr Zelensky to face questions over what he knew about alleged corruption in his inner circle.
Last week, Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities said they had uncovered a money-laundering plot, leading Mr Zelensky to sack one of his senior officials over their alleged involvement. The president has denied any involvement, telling reporters over the weekend: "The heads of anti-corruption agencies have zero questions for me. They understand perfectly well that I am not involved in anything like that."
