Zelenskiy meets UK leaders as Britain pledges new aid for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in London on Wednesday for a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, where the United Kingdom reiterated its commitment to support Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. The talks focused on strengthening military assistance, with Burnham announcing a new package of surface‑to‑air missiles to be delivered to Kyiv.

The British government said it would provide £45 million worth of surface‑to‑air missiles designed to target jet‑powered Russian drones, and that £10 million of the package would be fast‑tracked to meet an urgent operational need. Burnham described the support as “vital to keeping people in Britain safe” and pledged to accelerate and expand aid for Ukraine’s defence.

In a statement before the meeting, Burnham affirmed that the United Kingdom stands with the Ukrainian people “for as long as it takes” and pledged to increase the speed and scale of assistance. He also instructed officials to prepare additional sanctions, military aid and fiscal measures, and said foreign and finance ministers were lobbying allies to follow Britain in banning certain maritime services linked to Russia.

The visit comes at a time of heightened diplomatic tension. U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that Zelenskiy should be replaced as Ukraine’s leader, a comment made shortly after Trump secured a deal with Moscow to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Britain publicly rejected the diesel agreement and called on allies to maintain economic pressure on Moscow.

Burnham’s remarks underscored the United Kingdom’s opposition to the U.S.–Russia diesel deal and its intention to keep up coordinated pressure on Russia through sanctions and other measures. The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing a shared resolve to support Ukraine’s “courageous fight for peace in Europe.”