Burnham navigates delicate diplomatic visit with Zelensky, balancing UK ties to Trump and Ukraine

A military honour guard greeted Ukraine’s President at Downing Street, followed by a staged photo opportunity marking the start of their meeting.

Ahead of the meeting at 10 Downing Street, Burnham told Zelensky that Britain stood with him “at this difficult time”. He emphasized that “the aggressor is clear” following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and praised Zelensky’s leadership in agreeing to discuss Donald Trump’s proposal for an energy ceasefire.

Zelensky responded that this was an “absolutely terrible time” for Ukraine, noting that no energy ceasefire had materialised and that Russia’s offensive had intensified. He acknowledged Ukraine’s reliance on US partnership but highlighted “some difficulties” and “different surprises” regarding access to American intelligence and the Starlink satellite network.

During his weekly Commons question session, Burnham pledged his “unwavering” support for Zelensky and announced additional military and financial assistance for Ukraine in the coming period.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, however, raised the point that journalists might have asked. He noted that the Prime Minister had carefully avoided commenting on Trump’s decision to overturn international sanctions against Russia. “This House deserves to know his position, as does President Zelensky and our brave Ukrainian allies,” Sir Ed remarked, asking, “Don’t you agree this is yet another shameful Trump betrayal of the Ukrainian people and European security?”

Burnham replied that this was a “very dark and difficult moment” for Zelensky, who was “carrying the heaviest of weights” at present.

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