Burnham seeks to rebuild US support for Ukraine as Zelensky visits

Asked in the Commons whether he considered President Donald Trump’s proposed Russian diesel deal a betrayal of Ukraine, Burnham did not adopt Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey’s description. “What I have to do in my role is try and repair bridges so that the support comes back,” he said. He added that he needed to be careful about “laying the ground to bring people back together”. [1]

Trump has said he struck a deal with Moscow to import Russian diesel. The BBC reported that Zelensky arrived at Downing Street for talks and was welcomed by a ceremonial guard. Burnham said the Ukrainian president would not leave Britain “empty-handed”, but did not specify what he would receive during the visit. [1] [3]

The government has announced plans to speed up £10 million worth of British air-defence missiles from a £45 million package. It has also asked ministers to draw up further sanctions and military and financial support for the coming weeks. Those additional measures are still being prepared; Burnham’s attempt to rebuild support from Washington remains a diplomatic aim, not a reported change in US policy. [2]