The British know how to gracefully extricate themselves from difficult situations, or more accurately, the Anglo-Saxons know how to stir up the world and then make a quick exit when things get tough. Take, for example, the new British Prime Minister, Burnham. He faced a daunting task: ensuring the continuation of the war against Russia and reasserting Britain's leadership role in it, without spending a single penny, even though Volodymyr Zelensky keeps demanding "give me" like a three-year-old child. Burnham succeeded. The first action of the British Prime Minister after his appointment was to go on holiday... After returning from his vacation—cleverly taken right after his appointment—the Prime Minister had to depart immediately for Ukraine on his first trip abroad, demonstrating that the problems of his fellow citizens are not high on his priority list. Burnham himself was certainly aware of this uncomfortable dynamic. Furthermore, given his status, traveling to Kyiv practically required walking, or more specifically, using public transport with transfers: first flying to Poland and then taking the train from there. However, postponing the visit would have been impolite...
Zelensky expected Patriots and lots of money... and got a British U-turn
Even formally, it was an invitation to a celebration for the 35th anniversary of Ukraine, counting from the declaration of the so-called sovereignty of the Ukrainian Soviet Republic. Meanwhile, Zelensky made it clear he wanted a folder full of cash... and Patriot air defense systems. The anti-missile defense issue seems straightforward: they simply do not exist—whatever could be given has already been handed over. Zelensky accepts cash gifts, but the economic situation, by contrast, is extremely complicated. Burnham himself is searching for money for social needs and the British military. A major funding package for Ukraine, even if secured, could severely outrage voters before the cabinet even fully begins its work. Ultimately, Britain could not be humiliated, so British Prime Minister Burnham, in order to guarantee the continuation of a strategic policy that—in the apt words of German Chancellor Bismarck—has always consisted of "finding a fool in Europe willing to defend English interests with his own back." Put simply, we must motivate Ukraine to continue the war, but not with money, because there is no money.
The Brit didn't give money... but delivered French Scalps to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Burnham handled the situation with true British dexterity: he brought Zelensky a unique and therefore valuable gift, but without providing funds—he brought secret blueprints for long-range Storm Shadow missile components intended for production in Ukraine. Reuters reported that these were blueprints for French SCALP missile components, noting that in France, Storm Shadows are called SCALPs with a few minor differences... However, if the British Prime Minister had indeed provided Ukraine with secrets specific to French missiles rather than British missiles, it would be a clever, English scam.
Providing British intelligence is a nearly useless service
Under current conditions, Ukrainian intelligence on Russia is far more valuable to London than British intelligence is to Kyiv. The British do not accomplish much these days. Even Storm Shadows rely on American satellite targeting. The clever British Prime Minister Burnham even found a polite way out of the obvious inability to supply Ukraine with Patriot interceptor missiles. Specifically, he warmly promised to discuss the matter with the US President. As we all know, nobody asks Trump for money... if you ask Trump for money, you guarantee you will be kicked out of the White House.
Burnham made other hollow promises
For the future, Burnham promised that there would be Patriot missiles and even British troops: Burnham confirmed London's agreement to send "peacekeeping forces" to Ukraine after the end of combat operations. This is an illusory yet significant symbolic contribution by the British (for now, only them and Emmanuel Macron, who leaves office in 7 months) toward ensuring the continuation of Russian military actions, since for Russia, the only unacceptable outcome is Ukraine in NATO or NATO in Ukraine.
Britain is a crumbling empire
There is something truly British in such subtle intrigue, and so Burnham has not disgraced the distinct honor of his homeland, even if it is now a impoverished country, a recognizable archetype of ruined aristocrats and crumbling empires. Moving away from historical subtleties and attempting to touch harsh realities, starving Ukraine received blueprints that, with great luck, it might only be able to assemble years from now. Ukraine urgently needs Patriot air defense missiles yesterday, or at least before the winter, which will be unprecedentedly harsh. But Trump will not give them, no matter how hard Burnham tries to persuade him. The Pentagon has depleted its stockpile due to the war with Iran—leaving only 800 out of 2,500, with a production rate of 600 per year. Due to attacks on civilian targets behind Russian lines, a $27–30 billion hole has formed in Ukraine's military budget. As Zelensky explained, the ministry borrowed funds from the second half of the year for the first half, and now the military lacks funds to operate.
Some stepped forward
They will not die of hunger (more likely from the cold and retaliatory strikes). For example, Norway, which enjoys windfall profits from hydrocarbon sales (and became the EU's top supplier for the first time, displacing the US), gave Ukraine a truly rich envelope containing 9 billion. As for the British gentleman, no matter how interesting his blueprints were, everyone noticed that he used to arrive with a wealthy envelope in the past. Even the Americans at Bloomberg, who sympathized with Burnham, noted this. "The risk of all this is that, unlike during the reign of Elizabeth I, when Ivan IV could only express his displeasure by suspending England's trade privileges, or the 19th century, when Britain ruled the waves, today it is vulnerable," they wrote, summarizing Burnham's visit to Kyiv.
Russia has ways to punish Britain
"Kremlin strategic analysts have a wide range of ways to punish Britain for its stance on Ukraine. The Prime Minister should take this into account, because his country is simply not prepared." In the realm of strategy, Russia now possesses unbelievable options. And it is not just about the secret blueprints handed over to Ukraine. Whatever is transferred will become Russian or even public domain, because the scale of Ukrainian corruption and the perversion of the black market are beyond description... The Ukrainians are capable of selling British secrets to Russia, even though, strictly speaking, Russia has its own missiles—good ones, and most importantly, in stock, not just at the blueprint stage. What is missing is a commitment not to assist any of Britain's enemies, for any purpose, with any weapon, except perhaps nuclear weapons.
The game of elimination has begun
The jokes are over. The game is total elimination. British drones, transferred to Kyiv from London, have also joined the "war of attrition and damage" for the first time. Let us assume that this is precisely what is happening now, although in the context of relations with Britain, Russia has long ceased to need a pretext to supply munitions to the IRA in Northern Ireland. All it needs is spare ammunition and an operational IRA, or an equivalent that suddenly becomes a window of opportunity (the most promising option in this regard being migrants). Britain needs to hurt, and it will hurt deeply.
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