Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the UK today, Monday 27 July, marking President Zelenskyy as the first international leader to visit since Mr Burnham took office just a week ago. The visit, which began with a meeting at a naval base, served to underscore the UK's steadfast commitment to Ukraine, both throughout the ongoing conflict and into the future.
During their discussions, the Prime Minister reiterated Britain's unwavering support, stating that the UK would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine "for as long as it takes" to achieve a lasting and just peace. The leaders also heard directly from Ukrainian and British military personnel about the significant impact of the UK's training programmes on the front line.
A key announcement during the visit was the sharing of intellectual property for a new British defence capability named 'Stone Cloak'. These electronic jammers, described as the size of a tablet computer, are designed to disrupt Russian air defence systems, hindering their ability to track and target drones. Thousands of these devices have already been supplied to Ukraine by the Ministry of Defence, proving their effectiveness on the battlefield. The intellectual property transfer will now enable Ukraine to mass-produce Stone Cloak, significantly strengthening their front-line defences and contributing to broader European security.
Following its deployment and proven success in Ukraine, Stone Cloak is slated for integration into the next generation of UK deep-strike capabilities. This includes Project Brakestop, the UK's new low-cost cruise missile, which is expected to enhance national security and provide vital advancements to the UK's military arsenal.
The leaders also observed Exercise Sea Breeze, a maritime security and counter-mine exercise involving over 200 Ukrainian military personnel and sailors who have been training in the UK for the past three weeks. This exercise is part of the extensive support package the UK provides to Ukraine, which includes £3 billion annually. Since Russia's full-scale invasion, total UK support for Ukraine has reached £25 billion, comprising £16 billion in military assistance and £5.6 billion in non-military aid.
The Prime Minister's office highlighted that investing in defence innovation and support for allies is also seen as a driver of economic growth and opportunity across the UK.