Zelenskyy to meet Burnham in London as UK plans faster air-defence missile deliveries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to meet British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in London on October 14 as Britain prepares to accelerate air-defence missile deliveries. Burnham will host Zelenskyy at 10 Downing Street, UPI reported, citing a statement from the prime minister's office. The office said Britain would provide further support for Ukraine in the coming weeks, AP reported. [ 3 , 4 ]

UPI reported that Britain plans to accelerate $13.2 million of a nearly $60 million surface-to-air missile package. The deliveries include British Lightweight Multirole Missiles, intended to counter a new generation of Russian jet-powered drones that are faster than propeller-driven Shahed drones. Britain committed more than $2.1 billion in March 2025 to provide more than 5,000 of the missiles over four years, and hundreds have already been transferred, according to the report. [ 3 ]

Burnham is expected to tell Zelenskyy that he has directed his cabinet to prepare further Russia-related sanctions, military support and financial packages. Before the meeting, he said Britain would remain with Ukraine for as long as needed and increase the pace of its support. The planned acceleration comes as the war enters its fifth winter and amid concern that Russian drones will target civilian infrastructure, UPI reported. [ 3 ]

The visit also follows Trump's announcement the previous week of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel. AP described uncertainty among Ukrainian and European leaders about Washington's commitment to Ukraine. Britain is seeking additional sanctions on Russia and has called on Moscow to honour a partial ceasefire announced by Trump by halting attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities. Zelenskyy says Ukraine is observing that energy ceasefire. [ 5 ]