Burnham greets Zelensky at Downing Street and pledges faster air defence missiles

A welcome at Downing Street

Andy Burnham greeted Volodymyr Zelensky with a hug at Downing Street on 14 October, and the Ukrainian president walked a red carpet past a guard of honour from the Irish Guards. Earlier that day King Charles received Zelensky at Buckingham Palace, and photographs showed the two laughing together. Charles had also hosted him at Sandringham in March 2025 and at Windsor Castle in 2026, after Ukraine, the UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement calling for a 'just and lasting' deal to end the war. This was Burnham's second meeting with Zelensky and the first visit by the Ukrainian president to a European capital since Trump's diesel announcement. Burnham told Zelensky that the UK stands by Ukraine and that this support will not change, describing recent days as dark and difficult after heavy bombardment over the previous 24 hours. The No. 10 statement issued overnight before the visit said:

Our rock-solid support to Ukraine is vital for keeping us safe here in the UK and ensuring those on the frontlines have the equipment they need to push back Russia.

Diesel deal and energy truce

LBC reported that Trump pledged to buy Russian oil to lower prices at US pumps ahead of the midterm elections, and Burnham described the move as a 'dark moment' for Ukraine in the Commons. The Trump administration later reversed that decision and announced an energy ceasefire on social media, which Zelensky greeted by saying it was 'news to me'. ANSA reported that Burnham said Zelensky was ready to sit down and discuss the energy truce, while Russia kept attacking Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Kyiv has complained publicly that allies have not shared information about the latest Russian ballistic missile attacks, and that it faces limits on using SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications. Trump had criticised Zelensky's leadership, but Burnham declined to criticise the US president, saying he wants to 'try and repair bridges so that the support comes back'.

Air defence and funding

Burnham announced extra air support for Ukraine as the meeting began. The government will bring forward the delivery of Lightweight Multirole Missiles, British surface-to-air missiles that can counter the jet-powered drones Russia uses to strike the interior of Ukraine, including Kyiv. These drones fly faster and at far higher altitudes than propeller-driven Shaheds, which makes them harder to detect and destroy before they hit their targets. The UK has committed £1.6 billion to supply more than 5,000 of the missiles over the next four years. A £10 million package for Ukraine's most urgent winter needs forms part of a £45 million total announced earlier. The UK also called on international partners to strengthen sanctions and increase pressure on Russia to respect the US call for an energy ceasefire.