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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has revealed plans to visit the United States next month alongside European leaders to advocate for Ukraine’s defense requirements directly with US President Trump. Speaking to Bloomberg, Burnham expressed his anticipation for the upcoming trip to New York in September, timed with the UN General Assembly sessions. Although the arrangements are not fully finalized, he indicated there is a strong possibility that he will make the journey, which would mark his first visit to the US since taking office in July.
Following his official visit to Ukraine on Monday, Burnham emphasized the clear priorities he has for the coming weeks. During his trip, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and led his inaugural meeting of the “coalition of the willing,” an initiative established by the UK and France under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amid increased Russian missile strikes, including a recent attack on a shopping center that resulted in at least 16 fatalities.
The UK has also agreed to share blueprints for British-made components used in the Scalp missile—a French adaptation of the UK’s Storm Shadow cruise missile—enabling Ukraine to produce this long-range weapon domestically. Ukraine currently depends heavily on American supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against Russian ballistic attacks. However, a dwindling stockpile of these missiles, partly due to the conflict in Iran, has raised concerns about Ukraine’s vulnerability to further Russian strikes. Zelensky has expressed hope to secure as many as 300 Patriot missiles before winter, when Russia is expected to intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
In his Bloomberg interview, Burnham expressed confidence that the challenges surrounding Patriot missile supplies are “fixable” but noted that the United States is not the only potential supplier. He remarked, “There are other players who could help in the mix who we have influence with,” suggesting a solution will likely require complex negotiations involving multiple parties. After the UK visit, Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jointly declared their commitment to urgently strengthening Kyiv’s air defenses. They condemned Moscow’s “systemic and escalating strikes against Ukraine’s cities, critical infrastructure and civilians” and vowed to continue efforts to restrict Russia’s financial resources through sanctions and actions targeting the “shadow fleet.”
Burnham’s message to Ukraine on the nation’s 35th independence anniversary was one of steadfast support: “The Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes.” He expressed pride in the UK’s contributions to Ukraine’s defense and assured that British backing would remain unwavering. Concluding, Burnham asserted the enduring nature of the UK-Ukraine friendship, stating it would “long outlast Russia’s illegal war” and that Russia should be certain of British resolve, as the UK “will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.
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