UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday that he and other European leaders are considering traveling to the United States next month to urge President Donald Trump to help Ukraine obtain additional Patriot air defense interceptors before winter.
Speaking to Bloomberg during a visit to Kyiv, Burnham said he expects to attend the UN General Assembly in New York in September, which would be his first trip to the United States since becoming prime minister. Although the details have not yet been finalized, he indicated that he is likely to make the trip.
Burnham made the comments during his first international visit as prime minister, where he chaired a meeting of Ukraine’s allies and held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed to European governments and Washington for additional Patriot interceptors. He has warned that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense capabilities before winter, when Russian attacks on energy infrastructure are expected to intensify.
After discussions in Kyiv, Burnham said he was optimistic that Ukraine’s current shortage of air defense systems could be addressed through international cooperation.
According to the report, European leaders are considering another meeting of the Coalition of the Willing around the time of the UN General Assembly. The proposed meeting could focus on persuading the United States to provide additional Patriot interceptors and encouraging other countries to contribute their available stocks.
Burnham acknowledged that the United Kingdom does not operate the Patriot system required by Ukraine. As a result, other European countries with access to the systems will have an important role in finding a solution.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE