UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to maintain pressure on Russia despite what he described as “outrageous threats” from Moscow during his first official visit to Ukraine.
Burnham is chairing a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, as international efforts to support Kyiv continue.
During the visit, the UK is also expected to provide Ukraine with blueprints to help the country develop its own long-range missiles.
The move has drawn a strong reaction from Moscow, which accused Britain of directly participating in the war. Russian officials warned that sharing classified missile technology would only “add fuel to the fire”.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange strikes.
Ukrainian authorities reported that five people were killed in attacks in the Kharkiv region. Russia, meanwhile, said three teenagers were killed after drone debris struck a children’s centre.
The UK has continued to provide military support to Ukraine, although defence analysts have stressed that Kyiv needs more sophisticated air defence systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
Burnham’s visit comes as European allies seek to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities while maintaining pressure on Moscow and exploring options for ending the conflict.