New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Monday, marking Zelensky's first international visit since Burnham assumed office. The meeting underscores the UK's continued commitment to supporting Ukraine.
During the visit, Burnham will announce that Britain will transfer the intellectual property for its 'Stone Cloak' electronic warfare system to Ukraine. This technology, a tablet-sized device designed to block Russian detection of drones, will enable Ukraine to produce the system at scale. The Ministry of Defence has already supplied thousands of these jammers to Ukrainian forces.
"Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering," Burnham stated. "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve and we will not back down until we achieve long-lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries."
Following its deployment in Ukraine, the 'Stone Cloak' technology is expected to be integrated into the UK's future long-range strike weapons, including Project Brakestop, an initiative to develop low-cost cruise missiles.
The two leaders are also scheduled to meet with over 200 Ukrainian military personnel who have been training in the UK for three weeks as part of Exercise Sea Breeze. This exercise focuses on strengthening warfighting capabilities and counter-mine measures in the Black Sea.
Burnham, who took office last Monday, spoke with Zelensky in one of his first calls as prime minister and extended the invitation for the visit. Burnham had previously pledged to maintain his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer's resolute support for Ukraine. Starmer visited Kyiv on his final full day as Labour leader.
Downing Street noted that the UK's total support for Ukraine has reached £25 billion since Russia's full-scale invasion more than four years ago, with £16 billion allocated to direct military assistance.