Burnham pledges Ukraine support as Zelensky visits London

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street in London on October 14, 2026, pledging continued support as Ukraine faced Russian attacks and difficulties accessing US intelligence and the Starlink satellite network.¹²³⁵

Defensive supplies before winter

Ukraine’s presidential office said Britain would accelerate deliveries of air-defence systems following talks covering financial assistance, defence cooperation and preparations for winter. The British government said the leaders discussed speeding up defensive support and maintaining diplomatic efforts to secure equipment from international partners.³⁵

According to the British account, Burnham outlined a package that included Lightweight Multirole Missiles in response to Russian attacks involving jet-powered drones. The government also said Britain would keep developing military technology for use in Ukraine and could adapt equipment supplied by other partners to incorporate British capabilities.³

The leaders also reviewed their telephone conversation on the preceding Saturday, the British government said. Ukraine’s account described discussions of current threats and diplomatic opportunities, alongside the financial and military support needed ahead of winter.³⁵

Questions over American support

Zelensky said Ukraine was experiencing problems with access to American intelligence and Starlink, according to the BBC. The Associated Press separately reported that sudden restrictions on the satellite network were affecting Ukrainian drone operations, placing the meeting amid a broader dispute over US support.¹²

Zelensky said he had been willing to discuss Donald Trump’s proposal for an energy ceasefire, but that Russian escalation had followed instead. He described the situation as an “absolutely terrible time” and said Ukraine “counted on partnership with the US”, the BBC reported.¹

Burnham promised increased military and financial assistance, according to the BBC. The Associated Press reported his assurance to Zelensky that “Britain’s support would not change”. The BBC described the visit as part of Zelensky’s effort to consolidate backing from European allies.¹²

Report of further missile supplies

On October 15, The Kyiv Independent, citing Bloomberg, reported that Burnham and Zelensky had agreed during the London meeting on a further shipment of Storm Shadow missiles. The report said the British long-range weapons would be supplied for strikes against targets deep inside Russia.⁴

The same report said Trump had lifted sanctions on sales of Russian oil in the United States and that European leaders were increasing support for Ukraine. It also reported Zelensky’s statement that Ukrainian operations against Russian oil refineries would continue.⁴

According to The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine has used Storm Shadow missiles since 2023 and began using them against sites deep inside Russia in 2024. The reported additional shipment concerns long-range strike weapons, while the official accounts of the London talks emphasised defensive assistance and winter preparations.³⁴⁵