Burnham to visit Kyiv on first foreign trip and reaffirm UK support for Ukraine

Andy Burnham will mark his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv on Monday to reiterate the UK's support for Ukraine and honour the country's independence day.The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing", set up by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.He is also set to accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK's support for Ukraine and to take part in independence day events.Burnham will be reaffirming the UK's backing for Kyiv in the wake of escalating Ukraine" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="174880" data-entity-type="event">Russian strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks - including one on a shopping centre on Friday that killed at least 16 people.Ahead of Monday's visit, Burnham said: "On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes."I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine's security is our security."He said the friendship Ukraine shared with the UK would "long outlast Russia's illegal war", adding: "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace."It comes after Moscow warned of "consequences" over the use of Ukraine" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="191849" data-entity-type="topic">British drones by Ukraine in its recent ramping up of strikes on Russian infrastructure.