Prime Minister Andy Burnham risked angering US President Donald Trump after calling for Washington to do more to help Ukraine, urging the United States to go "further" and provide Kyiv with more weaponry, air defence missiles and ramp up sanctions.
Speaking in Kyiv, Mr Burnham acknowledged the US contributions so far: "We do have close conversations with our US colleagues about the situation here, and we will continue to do that. They have provided funding, they have provided defensive support, and I think that will continue."
Urgent need for air defence
Asked if he will ask the US to go further, the Prime Minister said: "We need to go further together, I think, because there are some urgent problems that Ukraine is facing. There is an urgent need for air defence support. So, anti-ballistic missile support, and that's the big takeaway, if you like, from the meeting today. There's also a need for financial support. So, we will do whatever we can to convene people to share that burden together, and we'll continue to provide steadfast support."
The White House said in late June it expects NATO allies to spend 5% of GDP on defence. Britain is currently spending around 2.3%.
Coalition of the willing
Chairing his first meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing", the Prime Minister said the group was doing "everything we can" to "dig into our own stocks and help others dig into their stocks".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly pleaded for more US-made Patriot interceptor missiles in recent months as Kyiv's stocks have diminished. Supplies of Patriots have been diverted to the Middle East since the outbreak of war with Iran, with Ukraine receiving significantly fewer missiles this year than in previous years.
Speaking later on Monday, Mr Zelensky welcomed the talks but said "now, we have to deal with a funding gap", including the option of bringing forward part of the European loan to Ukraine, or unlocking frozen Russian assets. "The total gap is 27 billion," he said in a post on X. "One of the main options is to bring forward part of the European loan funding this year. But we should not give up on other ideas for how to ensure fair protection in this war – a war that Russia started and continues to prolong."
Russia has sought to capitalise on the shortage by stepping up its ballistic missile strikes, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 100 in the past three days alone.
Joint statement and secret blueprints
In a joint statement following the meeting, he and co-chairs French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the group would aim to strengthen Kyiv's air defences "as a matter of urgent priority". They condemned Moscow's "systematic and escalating strikes against Ukraine's cities, critical infrastructure and civilians" and pledged to continue efforts to "constrain Russia's war chest" through sanctions and actions against the "shadow fleet".
Mr Burnham compared Ukraine's war with Russia to Britain's fight with Nazi Germany as he gave Kyiv secret blueprints for long-range missiles. Moscow accused the Prime Minister of adding "fuel to the fire" by handing over classified information on the British components used in SCALP missiles. The Kremlin has threatened to destroy the factories manufacturing them and accused London of undermining peace efforts.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country had a right to regard the "direct involvement of British missile forces" as "participation in the war, with all the ensuring consequences".
Ukrainian forces will be able to manufacture and use the long-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia. British Storm Shadow and French SCALP missiles have been used by Kyiv's military to hit fortified targets inside Russia, or key logistical nodes like command bunkers. Ukrainian chiefs could also use the missiles – which have a range of around 150 miles – to blow up oil refineries and warehouses, to heap further pressure on the Russian economy.
Mr Burnham said in Kyiv: "My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century. You hold that flame in the 21st. Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine … Ukraine has been Europe's protector, not a drain on our security but the front line in keeping Europe safe."
Mr Burnham praised the "sheer strength" of the Ukrainian people as "truly awesome", and said that "this is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war". "The Ukrainian people deserve not just our continued support, but our gratitude and respect," he said, thanking Ukrainians for "the incredible stand" they have taken.
Defence firm MBDA needed the British Government to confirm it could release sensitive information on UK-made components contained in the missiles.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of doing everything it could to prevent any progress towards an eventual peace deal. "Britain is involved in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime. Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire and methodically and regularly hatches schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peaceful settlement process."
Mr Burnham hit back: "Who started the fire? That's the question, isn't it."
President Zelensky presented Mr Burnham with an award recognising the UK's support. In his own independence day speech, he said Ukraine would "not submit" to Russia, saying: "Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers."
