UKPM URGES ALLIES TO SEND AIR DEFENCE AS UKRAINE MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged Ukraine’s allies Monday to do everything possible to protect the country’s skies, using his first foreign visit since taking office to press for more air defence against Russian missile attacks. Speaking in Kyiv as Ukraine marked Independence Day, Burnham called on partners to draw on their own air defence stocks and support Ukraine against what he described as Russia’s campaign of terror. His message placed Britain firmly within Europe’s effort to sustain Kyiv as the war enters another difficult phase.

Burnham appeared alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European Council President Antonio Costa on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. Zelenskiy said Ukraine wants peace but will not surrender to Russia at any price. The event combined commemoration, diplomacy and military urgency. It showed that Ukraine’s leaders still view public allied presence in Kyiv as important to morale and deterrence, while European leaders use such visits to signal that Russia cannot outwait the coalition backing Ukraine.

The British announcement was focused not only on immediate defence needs but also on Ukraine’s ability to produce weapons domestically. Britain said it would allow Kyiv access to classified technology related to British-made components used in SCALP long-range cruise missiles, paving the way for production in Ukraine. SCALP is closely related to the U.K.’s Storm Shadow system and includes shared British and French technology. If implemented, the move could help Ukraine expand long-range strike capacity while reducing dependence on imported finished weapons.

The Kremlin reacted sharply. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said British missile help would add fuel to the fire and accused Britain of working against any peaceful settlement. Moscow has also warned London of unspecified consequences for drone support to Kyiv. Britain rejects that framing, arguing that Ukraine is defending itself against an illegal invasion and needs weapons to protect civilians. The dispute illustrates the escalation dilemma facing Western governments: the capabilities Ukraine says it needs to survive are often the same capabilities Russia portrays as evidence of deeper Western involvement.

Air defence remains the most urgent military topic. Russia has exploited shortages of anti-ballistic interceptors and air defence ammunition to strike cities, energy systems and infrastructure away from the front line. Burnham’s call for allies to dig into their own stocks was therefore a direct appeal to governments that may be reluctant to reduce national inventories. The question for NATO and European partners is how much equipment they can transfer quickly while maintaining their own readiness and replacing systems through new production.

The Coalition of the Willing meeting, co-chaired by Burnham with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, was designed to coordinate that support. The coalition includes countries committed to helping Ukraine resist Russia and prepare for long-term security needs. Its work has become more prominent as U.S.-led peace talks have stalled and as Europe tries to demonstrate that it can carry more responsibility for continental security. Burnham’s presence in Kyiv gave the meeting additional political weight, especially because it was his first overseas trip as prime minister.

Zelenskiy’s Independence Day speech paired gratitude with warning. He said Ukraine faced a $27 billion defence funding gap this year and warned that Russia could escalate later in 2026. He called for increased cruise missile production and more allied assistance while insisting Ukraine was not asking others to fight in its place. That message is calibrated for Western audiences: Kyiv wants weapons, money and industrial support, not foreign troops in large-scale combat. It also reinforces Ukraine’s argument that helping Kyiv is cheaper than allowing Russia to prevail.

The visit highlighted Europe’s growing role while the United States remains absorbed by Iran, Gaza and domestic politics. Britain, France, Germany and EU institutions are trying to align military aid, industrial production and sanctions. Burnham also called for stronger pressure on Russian oil and liquefied natural gas exports, linking battlefield support with economic pressure. That approach mirrors a broader European strategy: deny Russia revenue, expand Ukrainian defences, and maintain political unity long enough to affect Moscow’s calculations.

The practical obstacles are significant. Air defence systems are scarce, production lines take time to expand, and Ukraine’s needs are immediate. Long-range missile production inside Ukraine could be vulnerable to Russian strikes if Moscow identifies facilities. Classified technology transfers require legal, industrial and security safeguards. European governments must also explain to voters why more resources are being sent to Ukraine during a period of fiscal strain and high borrowing costs. Burnham’s speech sought to frame those costs as necessary because Ukraine is defending the security of Europe more broadly.

The day ended with strong political symbolism but unresolved operational questions. Ukraine received new promises of support, Britain elevated its role, and Europe presented a united message in Kyiv. Whether that translates into more interceptors, missiles and production capacity will determine the military effect. For Ukraine, Independence Day was both a celebration of survival and a reminder that survival still depends on outside support arriving faster than Russian attacks can deplete it. Fact-check date: August 24, 2026. Article type: News. Sources: Reuters; Associated Press.