‘We are with you in this struggle all the way, Burnham tells Ukraine
Burnham continues by saying that “Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the frontline of keeping Europe safe.”
“That’s why I believe the Ukrainian people deserve not just our continued support, but our gratitude and our respect.”
He congratulates Ukraine on its Independence Day on behalf of the UK.
He repeats that the UK believes recognises Ukraine’s “independence and sovereignty in full,” and believes that “international borders cannot be changed by force.”
He tells “the people of this country, from Lviv to Luhansk, … that we are with you in this struggle all the way, heart and soul.”
He says he sees “an unbroken country” in Ukraine, as he pledges continued support for Ukraine.
“We will continue to build the 100 year partnership between our two countries, bringing together our cities and our schools, our businesses and our communities, learning from each other and growing together for decades to come. And despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine’s defence.”
Key events
‘Who started the fire?’ Burnham hits back at Kremlin’s warnings
UK prime minister Andy Burnham hit back at the Kremlin after Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of adding fuel to the fire of Russia’s war (11:28).
“Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it,” Burnham told reporters in Kyiv on Monday, PA reported.
‘Russia will not prevail,’ EU’s Costa says, as he pledges to support Ukraine ‘as long as necessary’
In his speech, EU’s Costa also pays tribute to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people for their “courage and bravery,” which he says “inspire the world.”
“We will continue to provide as much support as necessary for as long as necessary,” he pledges, and says this extends beyond the war and into future Ukraine’s membership of the EU.
“The international law must prevail. Russia will not prevail,” he says.
“The European Union cannot be neutral when international law is being violated. We are not neutral. We are Ukrainian supporters.”
‘The cry for sovereignty and independence … is stronger than ever and will never be silenced,’ Burnham says
Burnham says “we all know already that Russia cannot win this war.”
“The cry for sovereignty and independence 35 years ago is stronger today than ever, and it will never be silenced. You are asking for nothing more than the chance to live your lives in peace, to build a better future for yourselves and for your children. To hold your own future in your own hands. This is your right.
This is what you deserve, and we will be with you all the way until that day comes.”
He receives a very warm applause for this speech.
European Council’s António Costa is up next.
‘We are with you in this struggle all the way, Burnham tells Ukraine
Burnham continues by saying that “Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the frontline of keeping Europe safe.”
“That’s why I believe the Ukrainian people deserve not just our continued support, but our gratitude and our respect.”
He congratulates Ukraine on its Independence Day on behalf of the UK.
He repeats that the UK believes recognises Ukraine’s “independence and sovereignty in full,” and believes that “international borders cannot be changed by force.”
He tells “the people of this country, from Lviv to Luhansk, … that we are with you in this struggle all the way, heart and soul.”
He says he sees “an unbroken country” in Ukraine, as he pledges continued support for Ukraine.
“We will continue to build the 100 year partnership between our two countries, bringing together our cities and our schools, our businesses and our communities, learning from each other and growing together for decades to come. And despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine’s defence.”
Burnham is speaking now (well, not now now as explained earlier 12:11, but you know what I mean).
He says it’s “an honour” to be in Kyiv to mark the 35 years “since this country took control of its own destiny.”
“But we know you have had to earn it again and again. Since the early days, you have dealt with attacks on your language, your culture and your elections. You have endured 12 years of naked aggression, the occupation of Crimea, and now four and a half years of Russia’s full scale invasion, all aimed at crushing the independence that we are here to celebrate.”
He goes on to say that Russia is “trying to break you will,” but “today and every day you prove that they have failed.”
He continues:
“Russia’s actions have not changed the path this nation is on. It’s confirmed it.
You have stood tall and defiant in the face of everything Russia has thrown at you. And you have taken your place as a proud, sovereign European nation, a vibrant democracy with a bright future ahead.
My nation, our nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century Great Britain. You hold that flame in the 21st.”
Burnham goes on to say that Ukraine’s resilience “is truly awesome,” and “inspires us every single day.”
“So I want to tell you something you probably don’t hear enough: thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you for the incredible stand you have taken because we are all stronger for it.”
If you are still watching our stream from Kyiv – reminder: this is a playback, so all of this happened a bit earlier today – you can now see Zelenskyy handing out state awards to leaders of a group of selected countries, thanking them for their help for Ukraine.
UK’s Burnham is receiving the award as a sign of gratitude for all the support from the British people just now.
His speech is up next.
UK’s support for Ukraine has not changed despite Russia’s threats, No10 says
The UK’s support for Ukraine has not changed despite Russian threats of retaliation, Downing Street has said, in comments reported by PA.
Asked whether Britain was prepared to run the risk of Russian retaliation in order to stand with Ukraine, a No 10 spokesperson said:
“Our support of Ukraine has been longstanding since 2022 when [Russia] launched their initial attack and that will remain the case.
I think we’ve always been very clear about how we feel about Russia’s barbaric actions. We have consistently said that across the last four years and nothing has changed in that regard.”
‘Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers,’ defiant Zelenskyy says
In a powerful speech marking Independence Day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians and international guests that 35 years ago, many intelligence agencies were not confident whether Ukraine’s independence would last.
“But Ukrainians restored the independence of their state, and we will definitely protect the independence of Ukraine. No doubt about it,” he said.
In a particularly stirring passage, he added:
“Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers. Ukrainians will not submit. Ukrainians will not be bargaining chips in the disputes of capitals. Ukrainians will not submit to what they do not believe in. And they will definitely not abandon their own dream. Dream to live, dreams to live independently.”
In a brief chat during Burnham’s arrival, Zelenskyy repeatedly thanked the British PM for the UK’s continued support for Kyiv, and for coming to Ukraine – it’s Burnham’s first foreign trip – on the country’s independence day.
Burnham compares Ukraine’s war against Russia to Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany and vows continued support despite ‘outrageous’ threats from Moscow
During the ceremony in central Kyiv, Britain’s prime minister Andy Burnham compared Ukraine’s resistance against Russia to Britain’s fights against Nazi Germany, and vowed to help Kyiv bolster its air defences ahead of the winter, PA reported.
“My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century, you hold that flame in the 21st,” Burnham said in a speech in front of St Sophia cathedral in Kyiv to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
“Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine.”
Burnham also praised “the sheer strength” of the Ukrainian people, and insisted “this is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war”.
If you’re following our stream, keep watching: given the delay, Burnham’s speech will be coming up soon.
Jakub Krupa
Note that, as it’s often the case with events in Ukraine given understandable security concerns, the pictures you are seeing now on our live stream are from earlier today.
Leaders meet in Ukraine on Ukraine’s Independence Day
As mentioned earlier, Ukraine is celebrating its independence day today, and the Coalition of the Willing will be meeting soon for the latest round of talks on helping Ukraine, on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day (10:39).
You can watch the latest from Kyiv here, including footage of Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcoming his guests earlier this morning:
And I will bring you all the key events here, obviously.
