Burnham and European leaders arrive in Kyiv as Ukraine marks Independence Day

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday, where he is expected to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chair a meeting with the so-called coalition of the willing alongside other international leaders.

The visit coincides with Ukraine's Independence Day, and is Burnham's first overseas trip since taking office. Other European leaders also arrived in the capital, including European Council President Antonio Costa, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Estonian President Alar Karis.

Burnham is expected to announce that the U.K. Government has agreed to allow defense company MBDA to release classified information relating to British components used in the SCALP long-range missile, according to his office. This would pave the way for France and Ukraine to advance plans for local production of the weapon in Ukraine.

SCALP is the French version of the UK’s Storm Shadow missile, with both systems incorporating shared French and British technology.

Burnham is also expected to take part in Independence Day commemorations and discuss continued international support for Ukraine during the coalition of the willing meeting. Ukraine marks 35 years of independence on Monday following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham, left, talks with President of the European Council Antonio Costa aboard a train headed to Kyiv, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, late Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP) CORRECTION: Corrects date from Aug. 24, 2026 to Aug. 23, 2026.

Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham, left, talks with President of the European Council Antonio Costa aboard a train headed to Kyiv, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha, left, greets Britain's prime minister Andy Burnham upon his arrival by train, in Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham, centre, walks out of a train upon his arrival , in Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's prime minister Andy Burnham, centre, smiles upon his arrival by train, in Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

OSLO, Norway (AP) — The health of King Harald of Norway deteriorated over the weekend, the royal palace said.

The 89-year-old monarch, who has been on sick leave for several weeks, was admitted to the National Hospital a week ago. He has been on sick leave for several weeks.

He is now receiving antibiotics for a bacterial blood infection and has responded to treatment, the palace said late Sunday, adding that his condition is stable.

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has been serving as regent during that time, the palace said.

The king suffers from hemolytic anemia and was being treated with cortisone, leading to fluid accumulation in the body that required hospital treatment, the palace said last week.

Harald, who has been monarch since 1991, has been in and out of the hospital several times in recent years.

FILE - Norway's King Harald, centre, leaves the hall after the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Norway, on Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)