Zelensky and Burnham to meet in Downing Street

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street on Wednesday, as the United Kingdom announces it will accelerate delivery of air defence missiles to Kyiv.

Burnham is also expected to set out how his government will draw up further sanctions against Russia, while urging allies to step up pressure on Moscow. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Burnham said the UK was with Ukraine "for as long as it takes", adding: "Russian aggression cannot be allowed to succeed on our continent."

Burnham framed support for Kyiv as both a matter of principle and domestic security. "Our rock-solid support to Ukraine is vital for keeping us safe here in the UK and ensuring those on the frontlines have the equipment they need to push back Russia," he said.

Among the measures being announced is the quicker delivery of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs). The UK has already committed to send more than 5,000 of the missiles, worth £1.6 billion, over the next four years.

The government will also reaffirm its plans to fully implement a maritime services ban on Russian liquefied natural gas exports. Chancellor John Healey is expected to use International Monetary Fund meetings to call for a ban on Russian LNG.

This will be Zelensky's second visit to the UK since Burnham became prime minister. The meeting follows what Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband described as a "very difficult few days" for UK-US relations after President Donald Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel. Zelensky criticised the US deal with Russia, calling it a "gift" to President Vladimir Putin.

Reporting by BBC. Read the original report: Zelensky and Burnham to meet in Downing Street.