UK's stance on Ukraine will not change 'whatever threats we face,' says premier

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday said that "whatever threats we face" from Russia, the UK's position on supporting Ukraine will not change.

In his first speech in parliament as prime minister, Burnham said former Prime Minister Keir Starmer's stance on Ukraine is “one which I will not change, whatever the threats we face.”

"We do not seek escalation, but will instead stand firm in providing what help we can to enable Ukraine to defend itself," he added.

Last week, Russia said British military facilities in Ukraine "and beyond" could be targeted in response to Kyiv’s use of UK missiles to strike Russia.

In response to a question regarding Israel-Palestine, Burnham recalled his previous statement that they needed to “look again at the approach that we'd taken.”

"We've seen the really quite worrying statement about the E1 (West Bank settlement) extension and the settlements there, and the fast-track tender process, which I think would lead to decisions being made before the Israeli election," he said.

Burnham warned that could "imperil, if not end, the two-state solution," adding these matters are urgent and they do need to be confronted.

“I believe we will be updating the House soon on those matters.”

The prime minister also touched on a written statement issued by his office while he was speaking in parliament, which expressed "full solidarity" with Germany after what he called Russia’s "egregious and reckless attack" at Leipzig Airport last month.

He added: “It is a very, a very serious development, and it requires the most intense European cooperation in response.”

Citing an announcement by the UK weather agency earlier Tuesday that summer 2026 was provisionally the warmest ever recorded in the country, Burnham said: “I can confirm to the House that I will attend COP 31 in Türkiye in November.”

COP31 Summit will be held in the southwestern Turkish city of Antalya on Nov. 9-20.

Burnham also noted that he will thank French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday in London for the cooperation that has enabled the UK to prevent over 48,000 migrants from crossing the English Channel.

Turning to his early release scheme, he said that anyone convicted of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving or indecent assault will now not see any change to their prison term.

The UK’s Conservative Party warned Monday that Burnham’s early-release scheme could result in dangerous prisoners being freed as the government seeks to ease prison overcrowding.

The scheme was introduced after the prison system came close to running out of capacity in the summer of 2024, with fewer than 100 spaces remaining. An updated version of the scheme is due to take effect on Oct. 1.