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Coalition of the Willing condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine, pledges to work on ‘constraining Russia’s war chest’
Read full story on theguardian.com →
World news — Tom Ambrose (now); Jakub Krupa and Vivian Ho (earlier)
British prime minister Andy Burnham said that the UK will help Ukraine make its own long-range missiles by sharing classified technical information for British components. Burnham, who was in Kyiv alongside other international leaders for Ukraine’s Independence Day, said defence firm MBDA will release details on UK-made parts for the SCALP missile to Ukraine to help the country assemble the weapons.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said there will be a “diplomatic track” with Russia discussing Moscow’s stepped-up attacks in the Black Sea that have curbed Ukraine’s export capabilities. Ukraine will also strengthen its air defences in the region, he told reporters.
Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s allies to deliver an air defence package ahead of the winter, with Russia expected to renew its strikes on his country’s energy infrastructure, Reuters reported. Addressing a Coalition of the Willing meeting in Kyiv, Zelenskyy also asked Ukraine’s partners to help cover a funding gap of 27 billion euros for its defence sector needs in 2026.
Britain’s Andy Burnham has urged Ukraine’s allies to provide more Patriot interceptor missiles to Kyiv, saying the country “needs more help to protect its people right now,” PA agency reported. Speaking in Kyiv as he chaired his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, the prime minister said the coalition was “doing everything we can all do and working with our allies outside of this coalition to dig into our own stocks and help others dig into their stocks”.
The Coalition of the Willing met online today, co-chaired by Britain’s Andy Burnham from Kyiv. Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski posted a snap from the meeting , saying France’s Emmanuel Macron , Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni also spoke during the call.
As European leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, less than 100 miles (150 kilometres) north, the city of Chernihiv was attacked by Russian forces. Across three waves of attacks, a Russian drone struck an apartment building, injuring 18, the Chernihiv city council posted on Telegram . Two of the injured were children.
Ukraine’s southern Odesa region came under a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Monday, with food storage facilities and energy infrastructure among the targets, regional authorities reported. Eighteen people, including two children, were injured in a Russian drone strike on Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.
Ukraine’s southern Odesa region came under a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Monday, with food storage facilities and energy infrastructure among the targets, regional authorities reported. Eighteen people, including two children, were injured in a Russian drone strike on Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.
Andy Burnham is making his first foreign visit as prime minister to Ukraine, marking the country’s independence day.
Burnham will use the trip to announce that the UK government will declassify information about missiles to help Ukraine build its own.
Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding …
Andy Burnham, on his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister last month, laid a wreath in Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day today.
He joined almost a dozen other European leaders, including the European council president, António Costa, in Kyiv to mark 35 years since Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union.
Zelenskyy hints at talks with Russia on Black Sea attacks
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said there will be a “diplomatic track” with Russia discussing Moscow’s stepped-up attacks in the Black Sea that have curbed Ukraine’s export capabilities.
Ukraine will also strengthen its air defences in the region, he told reporters.
“There is no total blockade today, but there is an attempt at one. Nevertheless, three or four ships a day are entering and leaving Greater Odesa,” he added.
Ukraine’s southern Odesa region came under a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Monday, with food storage facilities and energy infrastructure among the targets, regional authorities reported.
Eighteen people, including two children, were injured in a Russian drone strike on Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.
Ukraine’s general staff said its forces struck the Russian state-owned Kamenetsky Combine defence company in the Rostov region overnight, starting a fire.
The plant produces rocket and missile fuel, it said.
Russia’s defence ministry said its air defenses overnight intercepted and destroyed 351 Ukrainian drones over eight Russian regions, the Crimean peninsula and the Azov and Black seas.
The ministry also said its forces overnight struck Ukrainian ports and vessels delivering military cargo.
Russia has also turned its sights on Ukrainian shopping malls, supermarkets and gas stations in recent months. Russian drones struck a shopping center in central Ukraine in a daytime attack Friday, killing 16 people and wounding 130, Ukrainian officials said.
Coalition of the Willing condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine, pledges to work on 'constraining Russia's war chest'
Separately, in a joint statement, the coalition’s co-chairs – UK’s Burnham, France’s Macron and Germany’s Merz – condemned Russia’s “systematic and escalating strikes against Ukraine’s cities, critical infrastructure and civilians,” PA said.
They pledged to continue efforts to “constrain Russia’s war chest” through sanctions and actions against the “shadow fleet”, and agreed the need for “immediate assistance” for Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of the coming winter.
The statement said the leaders “expressed their determination to increase military support to Ukraine, strengthen its air defence as a matter of urgent priority, enhance cooperation with its defence industry, and share relevant technologies, including through the anti-ballistic missile coalition.
“They also committed to ratchet up sanctions on Russia’s military industrial complex and those supporting it.”
The European Council’s president, António Costa, offered a bit more detail on the meeting from his perspective.
“Coordination within the Coalition of the Willing is essential to provide Ukraine with the comprehensive support it needs to prepare for the coming winter. The EU is accelerating the rollout of the Ukraine Support Loan to support air defence and energy infrastructure.
Pressure on the Russian economy and its shadow fleet will continue and increase. Russia must engage seriously in peace negotiations. Escalation is not the solution — diplomacy is.
Security in the Black Sea must be restored. Russia must allow Ukrainian grain to reach the rest of the world. Russia is putting global food security at risk.
We will move forward with Ukraine’s EU accession process. The future of Ukraine is in the European Union.
We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary and provide Ukraine with security guarantees once this terrible war ends, so that it never happens again.”
Zelenskyy asks allies to help with air defence, funding
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s allies to deliver an air defence package ahead of the winter, with Russia expected to renew its strikes on his country’s energy infrastructure, Reuters reported.
Addressing a Coalition of the Willing meeting in Kyiv, Zelenskyy also asked Ukraine’s partners to help cover a funding gap of 27 billion euros for its defence sector needs in 2026. In this context, the president reminded his allies of the Russian assets held frozen across European jurisdictions.
Burnham urges allies to 'dig into our stocks' to help Ukraine, asks US Congress to 'ratched up' pressure on Russia
As he chaired the meeting, Britain’s Andy Burnham has urged Ukraine’s allies to provide more Patriot interceptor missiles to Kyiv, saying the country “needs more help to protect its people right now,” PA agency reported.
Speaking in Kyiv as he chaired his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, the prime minister said the coalition was “doing everything we can all do and working with our allies outside of this coalition to dig into our own stocks and help others dig into their stocks”.
He also called on the US Congress to “ratchet up” economic pressure on Russia.
Burnham said Russia’s economy was struggling with a record budget deficit and declining oil revenues as he backed a sanctions bill proposed by the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham.
Dutch PM Rob Jetten also revealed a bit more about the call involving the Coalition of the Willing.
“Support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia is working. And it strengthens our resolve to continue supporting Ukraine. That is the core of what we discussed today, on the day Ukraine celebrates its independence, with our international partners within the Coalition of the Willing and president Zelensky.”
Burnham, Macron, Zelenskyy, Meloni speak during Coalition of the Willing call
As anticipated, the Coalition of the Willing met online today, co-chaired by Britain’s Andy Burnham from Kyiv.
Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski posted a snap from the meeting , saying France’s Emmanuel Macron , Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni also spoke during the call.
In some non-Ukraine news, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros announced Monday that it is boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest for a second year over Israel’s participation.
Broadcasters in the Netherlands, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain had refused to take part in this year’s contest for this reason.
“The Eurovision Song Contest was originally created to bring people and countries together,” Avrotros director-general Taco Zimmerman said in a statement . “It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the contest, undermining its neutral character. The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division.”
In 2022, the European Broadcasting Union made the decision to ban Russia from competing in the song contest over the invasion of Ukraine.
The attacks on Chernihiv on Monday are just the latest in Russia’s recent barrage of ballistic attacks.
The Guardian’s Dan Sabbagh reports that in July alone – the last full month for which figures are available – 437 civilians were killed across Ukraine and 2,610 injured according to UN figures. It’s the highest number recorded killed since May 2022 .
“Previously, the Russians would strike the Kyiv region at night. Now it’s three or four hours, then a strike; another three or four hours, then another strike. Whether it’s morning or daytime – it makes no difference now,” said Viktoriia Ruban, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s state emergency services in Kyiv region.
Related: As Russian missiles rain down on Kyiv, casualties mount and the mood darkens
As European leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, less than 100 miles (150 kilometres) north, the city of Chernihiv was attacked by Russian forces.
Across three waves of attacks, a Russian drone struck an apartment building, injuring 18, the Chernihiv city council posted on Telegram . Two of the injured were children.
'Who started the fire?' Burnham hits back at Kremlin's warnings
UK prime minister Andy Burnham hit back at the Kremlin after Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of adding fuel to the fire of Russia’s war ( 11:28 ).
“ Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it,” Burnham told reporters in Kyiv on Monday, PA reported.
'Russia will not prevail,' EU's Costa says, as he pledges to support Ukraine 'as long as necessary'
In his speech, EU’s Costa also pays tribute to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people for their “courage and bravery,” which he says “inspire the world.”
“ We will continue to provide as much support as necessary for as long as necessary, ” he pledges, and says this extends beyond the war and into future Ukraine’s membership of the EU.
“The international law must prevail. Russia will not prevail, ” he says.
“The European Union cannot be neutral when international law is being violated. We are not neutral. We are Ukrainian supporters. ”
'The cry for sovereignty and independence ... is stronger than ever and will never be silenced,' Burnham says
Burnham says “we all know already that Russia cannot win this war.”
“ The cry for sovereignty and independence 35 years ago is stronger today than ever, and it will never be silenced. You are asking for nothing more than the chance to live your lives in peace, to build a better future for yourselves and for your children. To hold your own future in your own hands. This is your right.
This is what you deserve, and we will be with you all the way until that day comes.”
He receives a very warm applause for this speech.
European Council’s António Costa is up next.
'We are with you in this struggle all the way, Burnham tells Ukraine
Burnham continues by saying that “Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the frontline of keeping Europe safe.”
“That’s why I believe the Ukrainian people deserve not just our continued support, but our gratitude and our respect.”
He congratulates Ukraine on its Independence Day on behalf of the UK.
He repeats that the UK believes recognises Ukraine’s “independence and sovereignty in full,” and believes that “international borders cannot be changed by force.”
He tells “the people of this country, from Lviv to Luhansk, … that we are with you in this struggle all the way, heart and soul.”
He says he sees “an unbroken country” in Ukraine, as he pledges continued support for Ukraine.
“We will continue to build the 100 year partnership between our two countries, bringing together our cities and our schools, our businesses and our communities, learning from each other and growing together for decades to come. And despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine’s defence.”
Burnham is speaking now (well, not now now as explained earlier 12:11 , but you know what I mean).
He says it’s “an honour” to be in Kyiv to mark the 35 years “since this country took control of its own destiny.”
“ But we know you have had to earn it again and again. Since the early days, you have dealt with attacks on your language, your culture and your elections. You have endured 12 years of naked aggression, the occupation of Crimea, and now four and a half years of Russia’s full scale invasion, all aimed at crushing the independence that we are here to celebrate.”
He goes on to say that Russia is “trying to break you will,” but “today and every day you prove that they have failed.”
“ Russia’s actions have not changed the path this nation is on. It’s confirmed it.
You have stood tall and defiant in the face of everything Russia has thrown at you. And you have taken your place as a proud, sovereign European nation, a vibrant democracy with a bright future ahead.
My nation, our nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century Great Britain. You hold that flame in the 21st.”
Burnham goes on to say that Ukraine’s resilience “is truly awesome,” and “inspires us every single day.”
“ So I want to tell you something you probably don’t hear enough: thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you for the incredible stand you have taken because we are all stronger for it.”
If you are still watching our stream from Kyiv – reminder: this is a playback, so all of this happened a bit earlier today – you can now see Zelenskyy handing out state awards to leaders of a group of selected countries, thanking them for their help for Ukraine.
UK’s Burnham is receiving the award as a sign of gratitude for all the support from the British people just now.
UK's support for Ukraine has not changed despite Russia's threats, No10 says
The UK’s support for Ukraine has not changed despite Russian threats of retaliation, Downing Street has said, in comments reported by PA.
Asked whether Britain was prepared to run the risk of Russian retaliation in order to stand with Ukraine, a No 10 spokesperson said:
“Our support of Ukraine has been longstanding since 2022 when [Russia] launched their initial attack and that will remain the case.
I think we’ve always been very clear about how we feel about Russia’s barbaric actions. We have consistently said that across the last four years and nothing has changed in that regard. ”
'Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers,' defiant Zelenskyy says
In a powerful speech marking Independence Day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians and international guests that 35 years ago, many intelligence agencies were not confident whether Ukraine’s independence would last.
“But Ukrainians restored the independence of their state, and we will definitely protect the independence of Ukraine. No doubt about it,” he said.
In a particularly stirring passage, he added:
“ Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers. Ukrainians will not submit. Ukrainians will not be bargaining chips in the disputes of capitals. Ukrainians will not submit to what they do not believe in. And they will definitely not abandon their own dream. Dream to live, dreams to live independently.”
In a brief chat during Burnham’s arrival, Zelenskyy repeatedly thanked the British PM for the UK’s continued support for Kyiv, and for coming to Ukraine – it’s Burnham’s first foreign trip – on the country’s independence day.
Burnham compares Ukraine's war against Russia to Britain's fight against Nazi Germany and vows continued support despite 'outrageous' threats from Moscow
During the ceremony in central Kyiv, Britain’s prime minister Andy Burnham compared Ukraine’s resistance against Russia to Britain’s fights against Nazi Germany, and vowed to help Kyiv bolster its air defences ahead of the winter, PA reported.
“M y nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century, you hold that flame in the 21st, ” Burnham said in a speech in front of St Sophia cathedral in Kyiv to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
“ Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine. ”
Burnham also praised “the sheer strength” of the Ukrainian people, and insisted “this is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war”.
If you’re following our stream, keep watching: given the delay, Burnham’s speech will be coming up soon.
Note that, as it’s often the case with events in Ukraine given understandable security concerns, the pictures you are seeing now on our live stream are from earlier today.
Leaders meet in Ukraine on Ukraine's Independence Day
As mentioned earlier, Ukraine is celebrating its independence day today, and the Coalition of the Willing will be meeting soon for the latest round of talks on helping Ukraine, on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day ( 10:39 ).
You can watch the latest from Kyiv here, including footage of Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcoming his guests earlier this morning:
And I will bring you all the key events here, obviously.
Here’s the full quote from Kremlin’s Peskov , via AFP:
“ Britain is methodically and regularly throwing oil on the fire and methodically and regularly plotting schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peace process.”
He added that Russia would target and “destroy” facilities producing the missile in Ukraine.
Kremlin says UK's move to help Ukraine would 'add fuel to fire', blames London for preventing peace talks
The Kremlin responded to Burnham’s overnight comments, saying his plans to help Ukraine make its own long-range cruise missiles would “add fuel to the fire” in bilateral British-Russian relations.
Asked about UK prime minister Andy Burnham’s visit to Kyiv on Monday and the new British missile support, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Britain was a participant in the war on Ukraine’s side and accused London of doing everything it could to prevent any progress towards an eventual peace deal.
(Goes without saying that this isn’t really true.)
Kiran Stacey in London and Dan Sabbagh in Dnipro
The UK prime minister will use the trip to announce that the UK government will allow the European defence company MBDA to declassify information about UK-made components of the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles to help Ukraine build its own version.
While the announcement will probably take years to have an impact on the war, it is likely to escalate tensions with Moscow at an already fraught moment in UK-Russian relations.
Burnham said in a statement on Sunday night:
“On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes.
I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security.
The friendship between our two countries will long outlast Russia’s illegal war. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries.
Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”
Burnham will announce in Kyiv that the UK will help France set up assembly lines in Ukraine for long-range missiles, which the French president, Emmanuel Macron, promised last month.
Related: Burnham to visit Ukraine with promise of boost for Kyiv’s long-range missiles
Later today, Burnham will co-chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing – alongside France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz – which will be held in a hybrid format, with some leaders dialling in from their capitals.
UK's PM Burnham lays flowers at national military memorial cemetery on Ukraine's Independence Day - in pictures
European leaders join in congratulations on Ukraine's independence day
Several other European leaders published their best wishes for Ukraine on their social media channels, including German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Estonian president Alan Karis, Romanian president Nicușor Dan, and Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson.
“For years, Ukrainians both at home and abroad have been defending their country’s independence with remarkable courage against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. In doing so, they are showing the whole world what it means to stand up for freedom and for a just peace. Today, on this important day, this is particularly true. We stand firmly by Ukraine’s side,” Merz said in a short video.
Expect to hear from more leaders during the day.
'Ukraine will not fail,' Zelenskyy says as he marks 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day
Burnham’s visit to Kyiv comes on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day, a holiday that understandably means so much more during the 1,643 days of the full-scale Russian invasion – and counting.
In a special address , Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted that “things are really very difficult for all of us,” but said the unity of all Ukrainians “is … holding us firmly by the hand.”
“And as long as the enemy does not break this circle of ours, Ukraine will not fall, will achieve its peace, and will succeed, ” he said.
He said R ussia’s Putin “got the most important thing wrong” when he underestimated the Ukrainian people’s willingness to fight for their country.
“Putin hopes that we are tired. But we know that he is mortal. He never understood us. Now he will not have time to.
You wanted to take all our Ukraine, all our land; instead, you lost your oil refineries, your fleet, your profits, your entire generation that you sent into the meat grinder.
You wanted us erased from the map; now you are absent from the international agenda of the future civilisation. For 27 years, the head of Russia has talked about greatness, while Russia is standing in lines for gasoline.”
Zelenskyy also renewed his push for even more help from other European leaders, telling them “we are not asking you to fight for us, [but] to give Ukraine everything it needs to stop this war.”
Expect him to repeat this message to Burnham and other leaders in Kyiv throughout the day.
It’s Monday, 24 August 2026 , it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live .
The European Union has announced that it has approved €6.1bn ($7.1bn) in military aid for Ukraine.
“On Ukraine’s Independence Day, we show our unfaltering support,” Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, posted on X on Monday.
“Today, we approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs. Europe stands with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.”
UK is 'four-square behind Ukraine’s independence', PM's office says
UK prime minister Andy Burnham will tell the Ukrainian people that the UK “is four-square behind Ukraine’s independence , and Russia’s threats only strengthen the UK’s resolve”, the PM’s office said on Monday.
In addition to announcing that Britain will boost Ukraine’s capacity to make its own long-range missiles, Burnham is expected to meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
Morning opening: Andy Burnham arrives in Ukraine
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Europe. I am kicking us off but Jakub Krupa will be taking over a little later on.
UK prime minister Andy Burnham arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday alongside a number of European leaders to mark the country’s independence day.
Burnham was photographed at Kyiv railway station shaking hands with Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha , who said Burnham was to be joined by António Costa , president of the European Council; Luc Frieden , the prime minister of Luxembourg; Maia Sandu , the president of Moldova; and Alar Karis , the president of Estonia.
“For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds. In times like these, nations learn how important it is to have allies by your side,” Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X announcing their arrival.
“And today, we know for sure who our true friends are.”
Burnham plans to announce during his visit that the UK government will allow the European defence company MBDA to declassify information about UK-made components of the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/Scalp long-range missiles to help Ukraine build its own version – a major boost to the country’s capacity in weapons development at a crucial time in the war.
Related: Burnham to visit Ukraine with promise of boost for Kyiv’s long-range missiles
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said there will be a “diplomatic track” with Russia discussing Moscow’s stepped-up attacks in the Black Sea that have curbed Ukraine’s export capabilities. Ukraine will also strengthen its air defences in the region, he told reporters.
This report is published with credit to theguardian.com. Full available text from the wire is above. Read on theguardian.com →
Source: theguardian.com · Tom Ambrose (now); Jakub Krupa and Vivian Ho (earlier). Published 24 Aug 2026, 04:46 pm.
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