British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (pictured) was due to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a Royal Navy base on Monday, marking his first international visitor since replacing Keir Starmer a week ago. File photo by Henry Nicholls/EPA
July 27 (UPI) -- New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was scheduled Monday to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a Royal Navy base training Ukrainian forces.
Ahead of the visit, the first of any foreign leader since he got the keys to No. 10 Downing Street on July 20, Burnham told the BBC that he fully supported Ukraine and Britain's "unwavering -- 100%" backing for its ally would continue.
Burnham said the fact Zelensky was his first international visitor "illustrates the strength of the relationship between the two nations," vowing to emulate the personal commitment to Zelensky shown by his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
"My support for Ukraine is unwavering -- it is 100%. And I will do what, in Ukraine, people think is the right thing that they need," said Burnham.
