Ukraine is under growing pressure from Russia on the battlefield and in the skies
KYIV – European leaders gathered in Kyiv on Monday to mark Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, as the country faces intensifying Russian attacks and dwindling air-defence interceptors ahead of winter.
The gathering on Kyiv’s Sofia Square brought together European leaders, including Andy Burnham, on his first – highly symbolic – foreign trip as British prime minister, alongside António Costa, the European Council President and other senior officials.
Burnham called for Europe to go beyond supplying Ukraine with missile interceptors by tightening enforcement of sanctions on Moscow’s supply chains, developing capabilities to strike Russian missiles before launch, and supporting Kyiv’s development of new weapons technologies.
“Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security but a frontline of keeping Europe safe,” he said. “We are all stronger for it. Europe is stronger. NATO is stronger too.”
