Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged that Britain's support for Ukraine will remain "unwavering" as he welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the UK for his first overseas visit
since the new government took office.
The meeting, held just one week after Mr Burnham became prime minister, was presented as a signal of the close relationship between London and Kyiv, with the UK leader promising to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine for as long as necessary.
The two leaders were due to visit a Royal Navy base, where they would meet British and Ukrainian military personnel involved in training programmes designed to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces. More than 200 Ukrainian sailors and service members taking part in the UK-hosted Exercise Sea Breeze, which focuses on maritime security and mine countermeasures in preparation for future Black Sea operations, were also expected to meet the leaders.
Alongside the visit, the UK announced it would share intellectual property for a British-developed electronic warfare system known as Stone Cloak, allowing Ukraine to manufacture the technology domestically.
The tablet-sized electronic jammer is designed to disrupt Russian air defence systems, making it harder for them to detect and target drones. Thousands of the devices have already been supplied to Ukraine by the Ministry of Defence, where they have been used in frontline operations.
British officials said the technology was developed through the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership and would later be incorporated into Britain's own next generation of long-range strike weapons, including the planned Project Brakestop low-cost cruise missile.
Mr Burnham said the innovation demonstrated the strength of British defence technology while helping to strengthen the security of both countries.
"Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering," he said.
He added that Russia "should be in no doubt of our resolve" and said the UK would continue backing Ukraine until a "lasting and just peace" is achieved.
The government said sharing the technology would enable Ukraine to produce the systems at scale, strengthening its battlefield capabilities while contributing to wider European security.
The announcement forms part of the UK's broader military and financial support for Kyiv. Britain has committed to providing £3bn in military assistance each year for as long as needed.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, total UK support for Ukraine has reached £25bn, including £16bn in military aid and £5.6bn in non-military assistance, according to the government.
The government also said continued investment in defence would support jobs, innovation and economic growth across the UK while reinforcing national security. Photo by President.gov.ua, Wikimedia commons.
