UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he plans to travel to New York next month to join European leaders urging Donald Trump to supply Ukraine with US-made Patriot missiles, following his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Key facts
- Andy Burnham said he plans to travel to the US in September to lobby Donald Trump over Patriot missiles for Ukraine.
- The trip would coincide with the UN General Assembly in New York and would be Burnham's first US visit since becoming prime minister in July.
- Burnham told Bloomberg he was 'looking forward to going to New York' and that the supply problem is 'fixable'.
- UK officials are preparing for a potential meeting between Burnham and Trump.
- Burnham met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday and pledged to help drum up more international support for Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he plans to travel to the United States next month to join European leaders lobbying Donald Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles, according to the Guardian.
Burnham told Bloomberg he was “looking forward to going to New York” in September, when the UN General Assembly is due to meet. He said the details of the trip were not “fully confirmed” but that it was “likely” to go ahead. The visit would be his first to the US since he became prime minister in July.
The prime minister described the supply problem over the missiles as “fixable”. His comments follow a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday, where he pledged to help drum up more international support for Ukraine.
UK officials are making preparations for a potential meeting between Burnham and Trump, the Guardian reported. Burnham is known to be particularly keen to attend the annual UN gathering in the wake of his talks with Zelenskyy.
The reported plans position Burnham alongside other European leaders seeking to secure US-made weaponry for Ukraine’s defence. However, the trip and any meeting with Trump remain subject to confirmation, according to the reporting.
Why it matters
Burnham's planned trip would put him alongside other European leaders seeking to persuade the US to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine. According to the Guardian, the visit and any meeting with Trump are not yet confirmed, and it would be Burnham's first US trip since becoming prime minister in July.
Frequently asked questions
When is Burnham planning to travel to the US?
Burnham said he is 'likely' to travel to New York in September, timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly, though he said the details were not 'fully confirmed'.
Why does Burnham want to meet Trump?
He plans to join European leaders lobbying Donald Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles, and described the supply problem as 'fixable'.
Has Burnham met Zelenskyy?
Yes. According to the Guardian, Burnham met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday and pledged to help drum up more international support for Ukraine.