Burnham to Host Zelensky in First Foreign Leader Visit as UK PM

By Aurax Radio | July 27, 2026 | 2 min read

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will become the first foreign leader to meet new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham since he took office, highlighting the United Kingdom’s continued support for Kyiv. The visit will focus on defence cooperation, military training and the future of the UK-Ukraine partnership as Russia’s invasion continues.

British and Ukrainian soldiers participating in a joint military training exercise.

The visit will highlight defence cooperation between Britain and Ukraine as the war with Russia continues.

Burnham is scheduled to welcome Zelenskyy during a visit to a British naval base, where the two leaders will meet British and Ukrainian personnel involved in military training exercises. The meeting is intended to demonstrate continuity in Britain’s policy toward Ukraine following the change in government and comes after Burnham pledged that London’s support for Kyiv would remain unchanged.

The talks are expected to include defence cooperation, including the development of new military technologies and support for Ukraine’s battlefield needs. The leaders will also discuss broader European security concerns as the war approaches another year, with the UK remaining one of Kyiv’s leading military and financial supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelenskyy’s visit comes shortly after Burnham became prime minister following the departure of Keir Starmer. Ukraine has maintained close relations with successive British governments, with London providing military assistance, training programmes and diplomatic backing as Kyiv seeks continued international support against Russian forces.

The meeting also marks an early foreign policy test for Burnham’s government as it seeks to define its approach to international affairs. Officials in London have said the relationship with Ukraine remains a central part of Britain’s security strategy, while Zelenskyy continues diplomatic efforts with allies to secure long-term military and political backing.

Sources: Information attributed to Reuters, BBC News, The Guardian, France 24, UK government statements and other accredited reporting.

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