Burnham plans New York trip to lobby Trump over Ukraine missiles
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is likely to travel to New York in September for the UN General Assembly, where he will join European leaders in lobbying Donald Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he plans to travel to the United States next month to join European leaders in pressing Donald Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles. Speaking to Bloomberg, Burnham said he was “looking forward to going to New York” in September, when the UN General Assembly convenes, though he cautioned that the details of the trip were not “fully confirmed”. He described the visit as “likely” to go ahead.
The trip would mark Burnham’s first US visit since he became prime minister in July. It follows his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after which Burnham said the problem of supplying Ukraine with the US-made missile systems was “fixable”. The prime minister’s comments come amid growing pressure on Washington to maintain military support for Kyiv as the war with Russia continues.
Burnham’s planned visit is part of a broader European effort to persuade the Trump administration to release additional Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. The missiles are considered critical to Ukraine’s ability to protect its cities and infrastructure from Russian strikes. European leaders have repeatedly called on Washington to expedite deliveries, arguing that the systems are essential to Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
The prime minister’s trip to New York is expected to coincide with the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly, providing a platform for high-level discussions on the war. Burnham has not confirmed whether he will hold a bilateral meeting with Trump during the visit, but the timing of the trip is seen as significant given the ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure more military aid for Ukraine.
Burnham’s engagement with Ukraine has been active since he took office. During a recent visit to Kyiv, he announced that the UK would provide Ukraine with the blueprints to long-range SCALP missiles, a move aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s domestic production capabilities. He also directly challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking “Who started the fire?” in remarks that reflected the heightened tensions between London and Moscow.
The UK has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters since the full-scale invasion began, providing military aid, training, and diplomatic backing. Burnham’s government has continued that policy, though the question of US-supplied Patriot missiles remains a sticking point. Washington has supplied some systems to Ukraine but has been cautious about committing additional units, citing the need to maintain US and allied air defence stockpiles.
European leaders have argued that the current supply levels are insufficient to meet Ukraine’s needs, particularly as Russia intensifies its aerial campaign. The Patriot system is widely regarded as one of the most effective defences against Russian missiles, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly requested more units. Burnham’s decision to lobby Trump directly reflects the urgency of the situation, with Kyiv warning that delays in deliveries could have serious consequences on the battlefield.
The prime minister’s office has not released a detailed itinerary for the New York trip, but officials have indicated that Ukraine will be a central topic of discussion. The visit is also expected to touch on broader transatlantic relations, including trade and security cooperation. Burnham’s first US trip as prime minister will be closely watched, both in London and in European capitals, as a test of his ability to influence Washington’s policy on Ukraine.
