Britain is about to make Ukraine's missile dreams come true - sort of. Andy Burnham, the UK prime minister, will touch down in Kyiv on Monday for Ukraine's independence day, his first foreign trip in the role, bearing a gift that could take years to unwrap: permission for defence company MBDA to share details about UK-made components of the Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles so Ukraine can build its own long-range versions.
Yes, it's a bit like giving someone a recipe for a cake that takes three years to bake, but it's the thought that counts. The announcement, while likely to make Moscow's blood boil at a particularly awkward moment in UK-Russia relations, is more of a long-term investment in Ukraine's missile-making capabilities.
Burnham, ever the diplomat, declared on Sunday night: "On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes." He added, with a flourish, "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace." Because nothing says 'just and lasting peace' like a missile assembly line.
In Kyiv, Burnham will also announce UK support for French plans to set up missile assembly lines in Ukraine, a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron last month. Macron, who apparently enjoys a good missile summit, spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday to promise interceptor missiles to counter the recent Russian barrage on Kyiv. Meanwhile, European leaders have been tut-tutting over Friday's drone attack on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, which killed 16 people.
But here's the rub: Ukraine has run out of US-made Patriot interceptors, and US President Donald Trump has reneged on a promise to let Ukraine build its own. Zelenskyy, ever the optimist, said he still wants to buy 300 Patriot missiles for the winter package, noting "The request from our air force is 360." He's also struck deals with France for at least one air-defence system this year and with Germany for about 600 interceptors in 2027-28. Because nothing says 'urgent defence' like a delivery date nearly a decade away.
Macron took to X (formerly Twitter, because of course) to declare: "It is crucial to provide Ukraine with all the necessary means to defend its skies and thwart this aggression." He also called on other countries with capabilities to join the effort, because sharing is caring, especially when it comes to missile tech.
The British move is a small step towards a larger goal of Ukraine producing its own Storm Shadow variants in a few years. But it's likely to rile Moscow further, which last week accused the UK of escalating the conflict by allowing drone attacks, warning that deeper involvement means "the higher the price it will pay." Russia has also pulled its ambassador from London without a replacement, which is either a diplomatic snub or a very slow game of musical chairs.
Burnham remains unperturbed, insisting "We are not fair-weather friends. We will be there in Ukraine's hour of need." On Monday, he'll co-chair a meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' - 34 countries promising to help secure Ukraine post-peace-deal - with Macron joining via video link and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also on the call. They'll discuss ways to repel the recent wave of long-distance attacks.
While in Kyiv, Burnham will attend independence day events (details kept hush-hush due to fears of a major Russian attack) and receive an award for the UK's support. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy faces his most direct domestic challenge yet, with former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov calling for an election. Zelenskyy, responding over the weekend, warned that elections during wartime "risk splitting the country," calling them "a tsunami for the state that will split Ukraine." Because nothing says 'unity' like suspending democracy indefinitely.