Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Monday, marking Zelensky's first international visit since Burnham assumed office. The visit underscores the UK's continued backing for Kyiv under the new premiership.
During the meeting, Burnham announced that the UK will transfer the intellectual property for its 'Stone Cloak' electronic warfare system to Ukraine. This technology, 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."
The 'Stone Cloak' system, a tablet-sized device, is expected to be integrated into the UK's next generation of long-range strike weapons, including Project Brakestop, an initiative to develop low-cost cruise missiles.
Burnham and Zelensky also met with over 200 Ukrainian military personnel participating in Exercise Sea Breeze in the UK. 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 strong support for Ukraine.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion over four years ago, the UK's total support for Ukraine has reached £25 billion, with £16 billion allocated to direct military assistance. Sir Keir Starmer visited Kyiv on his final full day as Labour leader.