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 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.

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.

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