Burnham says he wants to 'repair bridges' between Ukraine and US

ByBecky Morton, Political reporter and Jennifer McKiernan, Political reporter. Updated 5 minutes ago.

Key points

• On Monday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov remarked Ukraine did not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring.
• During PMQs, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked whether he agreed the diesel accord was "yet another shameful Trump betrayal of the Ukrainian people and European security".
• It comes after President Donald Trump remarked he had struck a agreement with Moscow to import Russian diesel.
• Zelensky branded the move a gift to Putin, warning it would provide Moscow with funds to continue its war against Ukraine.
• Zelensky backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' but notes Russia continues to hit power plants.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has remarked it is his job to "repair bridges" between Ukraine and the United States, ahead of a gathering with President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street.

Asked regarding Trump's move during Prime Minister's Questions, Burnham resisted criticising the US president, saying he wanted to "be careful in terms of laying the ground to bring people back together".

As he stated further military and financial backing would be drawn up in the coming weeks, nevertheless, he stressed that Zelensky would not be leaving the UK "empty-handed".

While additionally announcing the UK will accelerate its delivery of air defence missiles to Kyiv, burnham is projected to apply the visit to promise further sanctions against Russia.

Notably, the UK will additionally urge allies to step up pressure on Russia, with Chancellor John Healey using International Monetary Fund meetings to call for a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

In response, Burnham did not echo Sir Ed's condemnation of Trump, saying: "What I have to do in my role is try and repair bridges so that the support comes back and therefore I should at this moment in time be careful in terms of laying the ground to bring people back together."

Notably, the PM remarked he had spoken to Zelensky over the phone on Saturday "because I recognised it was another very dark and difficult moment for him as they contemplate a winter that will be severe for his people". Analysis: Trump's global headaches worsen weeks before crucial elections.

According to The phone call came after Trump, president Vladimir Putin had agreed to release millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the US, as he suspended sanctions on diesel from Moscow.

Trump responded by saying it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president".

On Sunday, the US president asserted that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire – but hours afterwards, Zelensky noted Russian attacks on energy facilities had continued.

It is Zelensky's second visit to the UK since Burnham became prime minister. When the pair met troops and led a news conference at a naval base in Portsmouth, his first was in late July, days after Burnham entered No 10.

Among the measures being confirmed is the quicker delivery of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), with the UK having already committed to send more than 5, 000 worth £1.6bn over the next four years.

In short, burnham says he wants to ' repair bridges' between Ukraine and US is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.