Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will become the first international visitor of Andy Burnham’s premiership on Monday, meeting the new British prime minister at a naval base where Ukrainian forces have been undergoing training.
The visit underscores Britain’s ongoing military and diplomatic backing for Kyiv, which Burnham has described as “unwavering.” It comes less than two weeks after former Prime Minister Keir Starmer travelled to Kyiv for the final foreign visit of his time in office.
The choice of a naval base as the setting is symbolic, highlighting the training programme that has seen Ukrainian personnel prepared on British soil since the early stages of the conflict with Russia. The facility has served as one of several sites where UK forces have provided instruction to Ukrainian recruits.
Burnham, who recently took office and has moved to reshape the geographic balance of British political power from Manchester, has positioned continued support for Ukraine as a foreign-policy priority. Hosting Zelensky first signals continuity with his predecessors rather than a departure in approach.
For Zelensky, the meeting extends a sustained diplomatic push to secure military and financial commitments from Western partners. In recent months the Ukrainian leader has engaged in high-level talks over weapons production and peace negotiations, seeking to shore up support as the war grinds on.
Details of any new commitments expected from the meeting have not been confirmed. Discussions are anticipated to cover ongoing training programmes, defence cooperation and the broader trajectory of the conflict.
The visit takes place against a shifting diplomatic backdrop, with various international actors pressing for movement toward a negotiated settlement. Britain has consistently framed its role as one of steady support for Kyiv’s position.
Both leaders are expected to hold talks and make public remarks during the visit, offering the first indication of how Burnham intends to conduct relations with Ukraine as prime minister.