Andy Burnham receives Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Wednesday, keen to show his support for Ukraine

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will receive Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday at Downing Street, keen to demonstrate his “unwavering” support for the Ukrainian president recently criticized by Donald Trump, the British government announced.

The Labor leader will promise during this meeting to “accelerate the delivery of essential air defense missiles” in the coming weeks, and will call on “international partners to strengthen sanctions against Russia,” Downing Street said in a statement. Ukraine and its European allies were disconcerted by the US president's decision last week to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, to allow the United States to buy it in large quantities. The objective is to lower prices at the pump and satisfy American voters before the crucial mid-term elections in the United States.

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Ukraine abandoned by the United States

Donald Trump also openly criticized Volodymyr Zelensky, going so far as to “suggest” on Saturday that the Ukrainians should have “a new leader who can reach an agreement” on peace with Moscow. In this context, “our unwavering support for Ukraine is vital to guaranteeing our security in the United Kingdom and ensuring that those on the front line have the necessary equipment,” declared Andy Burnham, quoted in this press release. Donald Trump also sowed confusion on Sunday by unilaterally announcing an “energy ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia.

But Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of attacking Ukrainian energy installations on Monday, and found it “increasingly obvious” that Russia had rejected this proposal. While criticizing Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, Ukraine's Western allies backed the US president's call for a pause in strikes against the energy sector. On Tuesday, the British and German foreign ministers, from Warsaw, called on their allies to impose more sanctions against Russia.

The United Kingdom will also try to convince its partners to “support the ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), as we have done,” said Finance Minister John Healey, quoted in the government press release Tuesday evening. The United Kingdom has been one of Ukraine's most important supporters since the start of the large-scale offensive launched by Russia in 2022. Labor Andy Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer at Downing Street in July, received President Zelensky at a naval base in Portsmouth (southern England) shortly after taking office. He also visited Ukraine at the end of August.