Burnham to meet major world leader after admitting Trump ‘challenge’ | UK | News
Andy Burnham (Image: GETTY)
Volodymyr Zelensky will be the first world leader to meet Andy Burnham, who holds an important meeting in England on Monday.
The Ukrainian President is expected to join the Prime Minister at a British naval base, where the Prime Minister will share the expertise needed to help produce cutting-edge electronic jammers designed to block Russian defense systems. This will allow Ukraine to mass-produce devices known as Stone Cloaks, which prevent drones from being tracked and targeted.
Mr Burnham described the technology as “the best of British innovation”.
He said: “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and our support remains unwavering. Russia should have no doubt about our determination and we will not back down until a long-lasting and fair peace is achieved for Ukraine.
“Stone Cloak is the best innovation Britain has produced and is a proven product on the front lines that will be vital to keeping us safe in both countries.”
No10 has confirmed that it shares the intellectual property of Stone Cloak, which will be integrated into the UK’s next generation deep strike capabilities. The British military will use the jammers to develop the UK’s new low-cost cruise missile, Project Brakestop.
Thousands of tablet-sized devices have already been donated to Ukraine to support drone operations. Downing Street stated that this move prevented Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
During Mr Zelensky’s visit, he and Mr Burnham will meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel and sailors who have been training in Britain for the past three weeks.
Britain had previously pledged £3 billion a year to Ukraine to assist in its fight against Russia for as long as necessary; this provides a total of £25 billion in support since 2022.
It comes as Mr Burnham revealed he was willing to oppose Donald TrumpShould it serve Britain’s national interests? In the BBC interview, which will be broadcast in full on Monday, he said: “I made a phone call. I always treat people as I find them and it was a good exchange. As I said before, it was a warm exchange.
“So I’m that kind of politician, I always judge people as I find them. I’ve lived with that my whole life. And on Monday, I actually found him very welcoming. But of course we’ll continue to develop our relationship as we move forward.”
Pressed by journalist Laura Kuenssberg that he would challenge the President if necessary, Mr. Burnham replied: “Of course… all leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interests first and foremost.”
“If you want to do this job properly, that’s what you have to do. I will always put Britain’s interests first.”
Ukrainian President expected to join Prime Minister at British naval base (Image: PA)
His predecessor, Keir Starmer, endured a strained relationship with the US President after he refused to allow US forces to use British bases to launch aggressive attacks on Iran.
On Sunday, newly appointed Defense Secretary Wes Streeting made clear that stance would not change, announcing that he had held talks with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth. However, he confirmed that both countries are cooperating on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The vital shipping route, which carries 20% of the world’s natural gas and oil supplies, was effectively closed by Iran following US and Israeli attacks on February 28.
Mr Streeting told Sky News: “I have been clear that we do not support offensive action in Iran and we will not support offensive action in Iran, but there are a lot of things we can and should do together in terms of investing in our and NATO’s capacity, ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.”
Acknowledging that the closure had caused serious economic damage, he admitted: “However, it is difficult to undertake such a task as clearing the strait and securing commercial shipping while hostilities continue. That is why every effort is being made, especially by allies in the region, to create the conditions under which we can achieve this.”
Describing relations with the Trump administration, he said: “The first thing you do is not to be terrible. My impression is that that’s not what President Trump and his administration are really looking for. He’s a straight talker.”
Newly appointed Defense Secretary Wes Streeting leaves 10 Downing Street (Image: Yui Mok/PA Cable)
When asked if he trusted the US President, the Secretary of Defense replied: “I don’t know him, but I trust the US.”
He noted that the bond between the two countries is unique anywhere in the world.
Over the weekend, new Chancellor John Healey promised a “buy British” blitz within the UK government. He told The Sun: “You’ll see this as a decisive move that you’ve never seen from a British government before. Buying British by design, not ‘if possible’. So every pound bought supports British jobs, British apprenticeships and British skills.”
He emphasized that more than 86% of the 1,200 major defense contracts signed during his tenure as Defense Minister were awarded to British companies. The government has not yet set out a timetable for achieving national defense at 3% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Mr Healey told The Sun it was “not a matter of the first week”.
