UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv today, 24 August 2026, for his inaugural international visit as Prime Minister. The trip coincides with Ukraine's Independence Day, where Mr Burnham is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During his visit, the Prime Minister is set to announce that the UK government has agreed to allow the defence firm MBDA to release classified information concerning UK components for the long-range SCALP missile. This decision is intended to support Ukraine and France in establishing local assembly lines for the missile within Ukraine.
The SCALP missile is the French version of the UK's Storm Shadow, both of which utilise shared French and British technology. This development follows the UK's 2023 provision of long-range strike weapons to Ukraine for defensive purposes and complements Project Brakestop, a UK effort to develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukraine.
Mr Burnham is also expected to co-chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv, discussing continued support for Ukraine's defence against Russia. He will tell international partners that the UK's leadership on Ukraine will remain steadfast.