British PM Andy Burnham Says Will Try To Rebuild Bridges Between Ukraine And US As UK Hosts Zelensky With Missile Pledge And Fresh Russia Sanctions

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged on Wednesday to accelerate air defence missile deliveries to Ukraine, impose fresh sanctions on Russia and work to repair the fracture that has opened between Kyiv and Washington, as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 10 Downing Street in the most consequential visit to London since US President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Moscow that upended the transatlantic war effort.

Burnham said he would try to rebuild bridges between Ukraine and the United States, a statement that came after US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Moscow regarding the import of Russian diesel fuel, according to BBC News Ukraine.

During Question Time, Burnham was asked about Trump’s move. He refrained from criticising the US president and explained that he wants to carefully lay the groundwork to bring the sides closer together again. 

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Burnham assured reporters that Zelensky would not leave the UK empty-handed, saying the government would prepare an additional package of military and financial aid for Ukraine in the coming weeks.

The visit came at a tense moment for Ukraine, with US support under acute strain.

What Triggered The Crisis In US-Ukraine Relations?

The gathering storm over Washington’s stance had been building for days before Zelensky’s plane touched down. US President Donald Trump announced on Friday a deal for Russia to supply approximately 4.8 million tons of diesel to US and global markets, a sharp reversal of US pressure on Moscow’s energy revenues. Two days later, Trump declared on social media that Russia and Ukraine had agreed an immediate energy ceasefire, an announcement that appeared to catch Kyiv entirely by surprise.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that “any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness.” He condemned the diesel deal, saying that recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries were “a response to Russia’s years-long campaign of terror against Ukraine’s energy sector,” and added: “Ukraine will not set Russian oil refineries on fire if Russia does not destroy our energy infrastructure.”

US President Donald Trump defended the deal he struck with Russian President Vladimir Putin and slammed Zelensky for allegedly wanting to create problems. Trump criticised Zelensky, claiming he had had chances to “settle this war” but “chooses not to,” before reiterating his calls for Zelensky’s removal as Ukrainian president.