New UK PM Burnham tells Ukraine's Zelensky 'I will be there for him'
Andy Burnham said he would tell Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky he will "be there for him" and the UK's support would remain "resolute" under his premiership.
The new prime minister indicated that Zelensky would be one of the first foreign leaders he will speak to after replacing Keir Starmer in No 10.
He also indicated he would have an early call with US president Donald Trump.
Burnham has little foreign policy experience from his time in government but he said he had worked with Ukrainian mayors while he was running Greater Manchester.
He said he would support Zelensky personally as well as offering the UK's backing to Ukraine.
Burnham told broadcasters: "Those will be my first calls, and I'll be making very clear later today to President Zelensky that there is no change.
"I will be with him 100% as Keir Starmer has been, and Keir has done really quite an incredible job in not just backing Ukraine but being there in a personal way.
"And I will be absolutely there for him in the same way.
"I've worked with Ukrainian mayors over the last few years. I've built a network of support for Ukrainian mayors, I take all of that experience into my new role and President Zelensky will be left in no doubt whatsoever that Britain's support is steadfast.
"It is resolute. It will be there for him and I will be there for him personally too."
By David Hughes, Press Association Political Editor
source: PA
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.