LONDON (Diya TV) — Britain will accelerate air defense missile deliveries to Ukraine, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced Wednesday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited London following renewed Russian attacks and a deterioration in relations with Washington.
The British government announced a £45 million surface-to-air missile package, with £10 million in deliveries fast-tracked to meet Ukraine’s immediate winter needs. The lightweight multirole missiles can intercept jet-powered Russian drones, which fly faster and higher than earlier propeller-driven models.
Britain has already committed £1.6 billion to supply more than five thousand of the missiles over four years. Burnham also directed ministers to prepare additional sanctions, military assistance and financial support.
A ceremonial guard welcomed Zelenskyy at Downing Street. He also met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.
The visit followed President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports and his subsequent call for Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy. Britain said it opposed the diesel agreement and urged allies to maintain economic pressure on Moscow.
“We are behind you and that will not change,” Burnham told Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president said he wanted to discuss difficulties involving Starlink access and intelligence sharing. Ukrainian officials have reported disruptions to satellite communications used by military drones, along with a lack of advance warning from partners before recent Russian missile attacks.
Earlier Wednesday, Burnham told Parliament that he would work to repair relations between Washington and Kyiv. He described the preceding days as a difficult period for Ukraine and promised concrete assistance during Zelenskyy’s visit.
Britain is also pressing international partners to adopt restrictions on maritime services supporting Russian liquefied natural gas exports. The proposed measures would limit Moscow’s access to shipping and insurance services that help finance its war.
