- President Volodymyr Zelensky has become the first foreign leader to meet Britain’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, with the pair holding talks aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth Naval Base.
- Burnham emphasized the UK's commitment to Ukraine, stating, 'We are with Ukraine 100%, I am personally with you 100%.'
- Following the meeting, President Zelensky thanked Britain for its unwavering support and welcomed a new package of UK-developed ‘Stone Cloak’ electronic warfare technology.
- The Stone Cloak systems are small electronic jammers designed to fit on Ukrainian drones and hinder Russian air defense systems from tracking them.
- Thousands of Stone Cloak jammers have already been supplied to Ukraine, allowing Ukrainian forces to maintain drone operations on the front line.
- By sharing the intellectual property of Stone Cloak with Kyiv, Ukrainian drone operators will be able to improve the system’s effectiveness in real battlefield conditions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, emphasizing the UK's ongoing support for Ukraine.1
The meeting, held at Portsmouth Naval Base, was symbolic of Britain's military commitment, with Burnham stating, ‘We are with Ukraine 100%, I am personally with you 100%.’
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the UK’s unwavering support and welcomed the introduction of the ‘Stone Cloak’ electronic warfare technology.3
This new system, described as “homegrown British innovation” by Burnham, consists of small electronic jammers designed to enhance the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones against Russian air defenses.
The UK government has already supplied thousands of these jammers, which are crucial for maintaining drone operations on the front lines.
By sharing the intellectual property of Stone Cloak, Ukraine will be able to mass-produce these devices, improving their availability for the armed forces.6
Burnham highlighted the importance of this technology for the security of both nations, stating, “It is intended to send a very clear message.”
The meeting underscores the UK’s commitment to long-term support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict, reflecting a significant diplomatic relationship that Burnham aims to prioritize while balancing domestic issues.
“Zelenskyy thanked the UK for its unwavering support and welcomed a new package of Stone Cloak electronic warfare technology, designed to enhance Ukrainian drone operations against Russian forces. Burnham reaffirmed the UK's commitment, stating, 'We are with Ukraine 100%,' emphasizing the importance of defense cooperation.”
The Guardian
