New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham Reaffirms UK Support in First Call With Zelenskyy

Newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has assured that the change in UK leadership will bring no alteration to London's support for Ukraine, pledging that British assistance remains steadfast.

In one of his first official phone calls as head of government on July 20, Burnham will contact Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside a call to US President Donald Trump, according to Sky News.

Foreign policy is expected to dominate the new prime minister's agenda in the coming weeks and months. Burnham emphasized that his main priority during the conversation is to confirm that British aid to Kyiv will continue without interruption.

"I will tell President Zelenskyy very clearly today that there is no change. I will be with him 100%, just like Keir Starmer," Burnham stated.

The new prime minister highlighted his prior experience working with Ukrainian municipal leaders during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Alongside Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi, Burnham co-founded the UNBROKEN Cities Network to support the rehabilitation of Ukrainians affected by the war.

"I will use all this experience in my new role. President Zelenskyy will have no doubt that the support of Great Britain is steadfast and decisive. Great Britain will be by his side, and I personally will be by his side," Burnham added.

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Burnham was officially elected as the leader of the Labour Party on July 17, 2026, and officially assumed the post of prime minister on July 20. Prior to taking office, he vowed to focus on national security and economic growth, promising to maintain close relations with the mayors of Kyiv and Lviv while standing with the Ukrainian people against Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new prime minister, expressing readiness for full cooperation across all formats and thanking the UK for its continuous political, defense, and values-based assistance.

"We are ready to cooperate in all possible formats. We highly value the political, defense, and values-based support of Great Britain. The foundation of our bilateral relations is stronger than ever, and we will continue to strengthen each other. I look forward to our conversation tonight," Zelenskyy stated.

On July 10, 2026, Andy Burnham pledged to sustain the UK's military and financial backing for Ukraine against Russian aggression. Burnham emphasized that British security remained closely tied to Euro-Atlantic security and what happens in Ukraine.

Beyond promising unyielding support, he highlighted his track record of sub-national diplomacy as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he established municipal partnerships with Kyiv and Lviv, while reassuring allies that a Burnham-led administration would preserve the country's foundational commitments to NATO and its strategic partnership with the United States.

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