Volodymyr Zelensky will become Andy Burnham’s first overseas visitor as prime minister on Monday, a meeting that will see the UK hand over the intellectual property for its Stone Cloak electronic warfare system – allowing Ukraine to mass produce the tablet-sized jammers that block Russian drones.
Burnham and Zelensky will visit a British naval base where more than 200 Ukrainian military personnel have just finished a three-week training exercise, Exercise Sea Breeze, focused on maritime operations and mine countermeasures in the Black Sea.
“Zelensky to become Burnham's first overseas visitor as UK shares Stone Cloak drone jammer technology.”
Downing Street said the visit “illustrates the strength of the relationship between the two nations”. Burnham, who spoke to Zelensky during his first phone call as prime minister last week, said: “Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve, and we will not back down until we achieve long-lasting and just peace for Ukraine.”
The Stone Cloak jammers, each about the size of a tablet computer, are designed to be fitted to drones to stop Russian air defence systems tracking and targeting them. Thousands have already been given to Ukrainian forces to bolster their drone operations. The Ministry of Defence said the technology will also be built into the UK’s next generation of long-range weapons, including Project Brakestop – a programme to develop low-cost cruise missiles.
Burnham described Stone Cloak as “the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries”. The visit comes less than two weeks after Burnham’s predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, travelled to Kyiv on his final full day as prime minister, where he announced fresh funding worth £255m for Ukraine.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the UK has committed a total of £25bn in support, including £16bn in military assistance. Zelensky, who was among the first world leaders Burnham called after entering No 10, posted on X after that call: “I truly appreciate that the support for Ukraine and our people will remain steadfast.”
Burnham’s first week in office has also been marked by a series of domestic spending pledges totalling about £1.5bn, including capping bus fares at £2, cutting VAT on household electricity bills, and a £340m plan to end rough sleeping – though the government has yet to specify how all of it will be funded. On foreign policy, he has signalled he is prepared to stand up to US President Donald Trump if necessary, telling the BBC: “All leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interest before anything else.”
