Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine as he welcomes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the UK for the first international visit since taking office. The Ukrainian leader will meet Mr Burnham at a naval base to hear from Ukrainian and British personnel about the impact of training provided in the UK.
Stone Cloak Technology Transfer
During the visit, the UK announced it will share intellectual property for a new British capability called Stone Cloak. These electronic jammers, the size of a tablet computer, hinder Russian air defence systems from tracking and targeting drones. Thousands have already been gifted to Ukraine by the Ministry of Defence. By sharing the IP, Ukraine can now mass produce the devices, strengthening front-line defences and European security.
Mr Burnham 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 backdown until we achieve long lasting and just peace for Ukraine."
Exercise Sea Breeze
Mr Burnham and President Zelenskyy will meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel and sailors who have spent three weeks in the UK for Exercise Sea Breeze, a maritime security and counter-mine exercise to prepare for future Black Sea missions. This builds on the full spectrum of UK support, including £3 billion a year provided to Ukraine.
UK Financial and Military Aid
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UK’s total support for Ukraine has reached £25 billion, including £16 billion in military assistance and £5.6 billion in non-military support. The visit follows a Russian attack on Kyiv on Sunday, causing fires in three districts but no immediate casualties.
