'Very proud' Andy Burnham meets Ukraine president and thanks HMS Prince of Wales sailors for deterring Russia

Andy Burnham welcomed the Ukrainian president aboard a Royal Navy aircraft carrier as his first foreign visitor.

The new prime minister greeted Volodymyr Zelenskyy aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth at HMNB Portsmouth this afternoon (July 27). Both men met serving British and Ukrainian personnel, thanking them for their service.

HMS Prince of Wales returned to Portsmouth on Friday (July 24) after completing the first phase of Operation Firecrest, at the helm of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG). Conducting various military drills alongside Nato allies, British personnel showcased power and resilience in response to growing actions from Russia.

Mr Burnham said believes carrier deployments will play a key role in deterring activity from Moscow. He told The News: “The carrier was deployed in the high north disrupting hostile activity. We should be very proud of those on that mission.

“It shows Britain still has the capability to support our partners and reduce the threats we face. It was good to see the carrier back in dock and thank those who have been part of that mission.”

A Guard of Honour on the jetty next to HMS Queen Elizabeth awaited the two leaders before they climbed aboard the aircraft carrier for their first meeting. Mr Burnham and Mr Zelenskyy were hosted by First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins and the carrier’s Commanding Officer Captain Claire Thompson as they discussed ongoing Anglo-Ukraine support and cooperation.

Acts of aggression from Russia have been increasing in recent months, four years on from the start of their illegal invasion of Ukraine. A ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft flew dangerously close to the carrier during Operation Firecrest and dropped sonobuoys in her vicinity - sonar devices that detect and track nearby vessels.

According to the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, Royal Navy vessels were activated 116 times to shadow 61 Russian warships and 28 Moscow merchant vessels in the within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This was done under Operation Addison. HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Duncan are currently alongside Portsmouth awaiting to be deployed on phase two of Operation Firecrest.

The new Labour prime minister said he was incredibly grateful for all the UKCSG personnel who served on the deployment. He added: “It’s a major thing to step up and serve your country, but to do it now with the world as it is, and the likelihood of being called into active service and getting into harm's way is great, is extremely commendable. It’s a huge thing.

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“Many young people I met today signed up to serve in the navy. It was fantastic to say to them that we don’t take it for granted, we recognise what they’ve done and I know there are thousands in Portsmouth who do serve. It’s good in my first week as prime minister to come down here and tell them how much we appreciate it.”

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said he was delighted by Mr Burnham’s visit. He added: “This Government takes very seriously the contribution Portsmouth people play to the defence of our nation, and the work we do with international partners to bring security, sovereignty and stability around the world. That’s why I am pleased to have helped secure £3.9bn to maintain our Naval Base and provide jobs and growth for our community.“

As part of Britain‘s support for Ukraine, both nations will now share the intellectual property of Stone Cloak. These electronic jammers, the size of a tablet computer, can hinder Russian air defence systems - blocking them from tracking and targeting drones and other equipment they’re fitted to.

Following the roll out in Ukraine, it is expected Stone Cloak will be built into the next generation of UK deep-strike capabilities. This includes Project Brakestop, the UK’s next generation low-cost cruise missile. By sharing the intellectual property, Ukraine can now mass produce Stone Cloak and strengthen their front-line defences. Thousands of these jammers have already been gifted to Kyiv to support their drone operators and strengthen their front-line presence.

More than 200 miliary personnel and sailors were greeted by Mr Burnham and Mr Zelenskyy after spending the past three weeks conducting mine-hunting under Exercise Sea Breeze. “Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering,” he added.

“Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve, and we will not backdown until we achieve long lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries."

The government is under pressure to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030, something which was not set out in the recently published Defence Investment Plan. The government also need an extra £4.7bn over the next five years to fully fund the £15bn package. New secretary of state Wes Streeting said he would resign if this was not met.

“Defence has to be a top priority,” Mr Burnham told reporters. “I’ve said that I will fully fund the Defence Investment Plan. My duty to those who serve our country is to make sure they have the kit they need, that it’s up to date, and I will honour the commitments there. Looking to the future, we will honour our commitments of 3.5 per cent by 2035. We will build trust with our international partners by showing them that Britain will meet those commitments.”