Burnham says he wants to 'repair bridges' between Ukraine and US

Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Burnham met Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last monthByBecky Morton, Political reporter and Jennifer McKiernan, Political reporterPublished13 October 2026Updated 8 minutes agoPrime Minister Andy Burnham has said it is his job to "repair bridges" between Ukraine and the United States, ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street.It comes after President Donald Trump said he had struck a deal with Moscow to import Russian diesel.Asked about Trump's move during Prime Minister's Questions, Burnham resisted criticising the US president, saying he wanted to "be careful in terms of laying the ground to bring people back together".However, he stressed that Zelensky would not be leaving the UK "empty-handed", as he said further military and financial support would be drawn up in the coming weeks.Burnham is expected to use the visit to promise further sanctions against Russia, while also announcing the UK will accelerate its delivery of air defence missiles to Kyiv.The UK will also urge allies to step up pressure on Russia, with Chancellor John Healey using International Monetary Fund meetings to call for a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).During PMQs, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked whether he agreed the diesel deal was "yet another shameful Trump betrayal of the Ukrainian people and European security".In response, Burnham did not echo Sir Ed's condemnation of Trump, saying: "What I have to do in my role is try and repair bridges so that the support comes back and therefore I should at this moment in time be careful in terms of laying the ground to bring people back together."The PM said he had spoken to Zelensky over the phone on Saturday "because I recognised it was another very dark and difficult moment for him as they contemplate a winter that will be severe for his people".Analysis: Trump's global headaches worsen weeks before crucial electionsPublished1 day agoZelensky backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' but says Russia continues to hit power plantsPublished2 days agoThe phone call came after Trump announced that President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the US, as he suspended sanctions on diesel from Moscow.Zelensky branded the move a gift to Putin, warning it would provide Moscow with money to continue its war against Ukraine.Trump responded by saying it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president".On Sunday, the US president claimed that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire - but hours later, Zelensky said Russian attacks on energy facilities had continued.On Monday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine did not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring.It is Zelensky's second visit to the UK since Burnham became prime minister. His first was in late July, days after Burnham entered No 10, when the pair met troops and led a news conference at a naval base in Portsmouth.Among the measures being announced is the quicker delivery of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), with the UK having already committed to send more than 5,000 worth £1.6bn over the next four years.Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.Related topicsVolodymyr ZelenskyWar in UkraineAndy Burnham