Burnham arrives in Ukraine with UK blueprints for long-range missiles

The UK prime minister Andy Burnham has arrived in Ukraine on his first foreign trip since becoming the prime minister of Britain.

The purpose of Burnham’s first international trip is to handover the UK blueprints for long-range missiles aimed at boosting the security of the country against Russian offensive.

The UK PM will co-chair a meeting with the “Coalition of the Willing” and meet with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Britain has agreed to let European missile manufacturer MBDA release classified information regarding British-made components in the SCALP long-range cruise missile.

The push aims to help Ukraine increase its domestic production of long-range missiles and strike weapons to target Russian logistics and oil refineries.

The visit coincides with Ukraine's Independence Day, following Moscow's warning last week of potential “consequences” over Kyiv's use of British drones.

“London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which ⁠it will have to answer," the Russian embassy in London said in ​a statement.

“The deeper its involvement ​in the conflict and the greater its support for Kiev's terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay,” the statement reads.

During the visit, Burnham is set to emphasize that UK security is tied to Ukraine security and pledged that Britain will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. The country has pledged more than £25 billion ($34 billion) in civilian and military support since the 2022 invasion.