Burnham Urges Closer UK-EU Ties in Kyiv, Citing £25 Billion Backing for Ukraine
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Aug 24
Burnham Urges Closer UK-EU Ties in Kyiv, Citing £25 Billion Backing for Ukraine
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Aug 24
Summary
Andy Burnham told European Council President António Costa on a train to Kyiv that Britain must be "bolder" in rebuilding ties with the EU and widen cooperation beyond existing defence links.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said both men saw a UK-EU summit later this year as the next platform to advance that work after July reset talks were postponed following Keir Starmer's resignation.
Burnham's push builds on Starmer's 2025 Brexit reset with Brussels, but progress has remained slow and disputes such as a proposed youth mobility scheme are still unresolved.
In Kyiv for Ukraine's Independence Day and his first foreign trip as prime minister, Burnham also pledged continued support for Kyiv, which has received £25 billion in UK funding since Russia's 2022 invasion.