UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged continued, "unwavering" support for Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the UK — Burnham's first international guest since taking office a week ago. The pair will announce the sharing of the intellectual property for the "Stone Cloak" electronic warfare system so Ukraine can produce the tablet-sized jammers at scale. The technology—already issued in the thousands to Ukraine—will also be integrated into next-generation long-range weapons, including Project Brakestop. The visit includes meetings with 200+ Ukrainian personnel participating in Exercise Sea Breeze, reflecting sustained UK backing since Russia's invasion.
UK PM Pledges 'Unwavering' Support for Ukraine as Zelensky Visits — Stone Cloak IP To Be Shared
President Zelensky will also meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who have spent the last three weeks taking part in a maritime exercise in the UK [PA Media]
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed the United Kingdom will maintain its "unwavering" support for Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a state visit on Monday. Zelensky is Burnham's first international guest since the new prime minister took office a week ago — a visit Downing Street said "illustrates the strength of the relationship between the two nations."
Stone Cloak IP To Be Shared
The leaders will visit a naval base where Burnham will announce that the UK is sharing the intellectual property for its new "Stone Cloak" electronic warfare system, enabling Ukraine to manufacture the technology at scale. The prime minister described Stone Cloak as "the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline," saying it will be vital for protecting security in both countries.
The Stone Cloak units are roughly the size of a tablet and are designed to jam detection systems fitted to drones. The Ministry of Defence has already supplied thousands of the devices to Ukrainian forces to strengthen their drone operations.
Integration Into Future Weapons
Downing Street said that, following its deployment in Ukraine, the technology will be incorporated into the UK's next generation of long-range weapons. Officials specifically named Project Brakestop — a programme to develop lower-cost cruise missiles, which are self-propelled guided weapons that cruise like conventional aircraft for much of their flight.
Exercise Sea Breeze And Personnel Meetings
During the visit, Burnham and Zelensky will meet more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel who spent the past three weeks taking part in a maritime exercise in the UK. Exercise Sea Breeze is intended to strengthen warfighting capabilities and improve counter-mine measures relevant to operations in the Black Sea.
Britain's backing of Ukraine has been sustained since Russia's invasion four years ago; the UK has committed roughly £25bn in funding to Ukraine's defence effort. In one of his first calls after becoming prime minister, Burnham invited Zelensky to visit the UK "at the earliest opportunity." Zelensky later wrote on X: "I truly appreciate that the support for Ukraine and our people will remain steadfast."
Burnham's predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, visited Kyiv on his final full day as Labour leader. During that trip he announced an additional £255m (€300m) in funding for Ukraine and was awarded Ukraine's Order of Freedom.
On concerns about leadership changes in Britain and France, Zelensky said: "Of course I'm afraid of changes... because we are in the war each day. But the priority is the relation between nations. I'm sure these relations will not change, and we must do our best not to lose such very good relations." Sir Keir replied: "You won't."
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