Peskov announced Moscow's reaction to the new British Prime Minister's support for Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 21 that Moscow was recording statements by new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham about continued support for Ukraine. The Kremlin also does not hope for an improvement in relations with London, and contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Burnham are not planned yet. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

The Kremlin's position

At the briefing, Peskov stressed that one of the first actions of the new British prime minister was to declare unconditional support for Ukraine.

"This is a fact that we, of course, record," said the press secretary of the President of Russia.

According to him, this indicates London's intention to continue doing everything possible to continue the conflict. Peskov also said that Moscow does not expect a warming of relations with London after Burnham's confirmation as head of the British government.

"No, we don't cherish such hopes, we don't have such hopes," he said.

Peskov also said that Putin has no plans for contacts with Burnham yet.

Burnham's statements

Yesterday, Burnham said that his first international calls would be addressed to American leader Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

"These will be my first calls. I will make it clear to President Zelensky today that nothing has changed," he said.

Burnham also explained that London's policy towards Ukraine will remain unchanged and unwavering. The kingdom will continue to support Kiev, the new prime minister assured.

Context: Starmer's resignation

Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his final resignation on July 20, adding that he was "passing the baton" to Burnham. According to Starmer, in 6.5 years as head of the Labour Party, he managed to bring the political force out of the crisis after losing the 2019 elections, transform it and lead it to victory in the 2024 general elections.

Charles III accepted Starmer's resignation. He served in this post for two years and 15 days, ranking 43rd among all 58 prime ministers in the history of the United Kingdom. The monarch also instructed Burnham at the audience to form a new government. The politician agreed, becoming the new prime minister.

Expert opinion

Political scientist Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, expressed the opinion in an interview with Izvestia that Burnham's appointment would not lead to noticeable changes in Britain's foreign and domestic policy.

"It makes no sense to expect changes in the UK's foreign policy. Why would that be? This is another functionary who has replaced exactly the same one, and it is unlikely that anything will change significantly in the British economy, both in foreign policy and domestic policy," he said.

At the same time, according to the political scientist, the new head of the British government has not yet presented his own political program and will continue the previous course of the authorities.