Andy Burnham arrives in Ukraine with plans to share UK blueprints for long-range missiles - Europe live

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.

“M y 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.