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New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken to US President Donald Trump in one of his first phone calls since entering No 10. World leaders have congratulated Burnham on his new role after he officially entered Downing Street. White House sources did not provide any details of the call, but the leaders are likely to have discussed new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Trump said people in Aberdeen would be ‘dancing in the streets’ in a post on his Truth Social platform following reports that Burnham could back new fossil fuel production. Asked previously what he knew about Burnham, the president said: ‘I don’t know, I think I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town. ‘I hear he’s extremely liberal, extremely.’ Senior figures from the EU seized the opportunity to call for closer EU-UK relations, while Ukraine’s president said he would speak to Burnham later in the day. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to working with Burnham for the ‘prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel’. She said in a post on X: ‘Congratulations, dear Andy Burnham, on your confirmation as Prime Minister. ‘I look forward to working with you to strengthen the EU-UK partnership. ‘For the security of our shared continent. And the prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel.’ The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said: ‘In the last two years EU-UK relations gained a new, positive momentum. I look forward to continuing to further deepen our co-operation for the benefit of our citizens and businesses. ‘The UK and the EU are stronger together.’ Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said he wished Burnham ‘every success in addressing the challenges of today’. He said: ‘Britain has always been one of the global leaders. We are ready to work together in all possible formats. ‘We highly appreciate the UK’s political, defence and values-based support. The foundation of our bilateral relationship is stronger than ever, and we will continue to make each other stronger. I’m looking forward to our conversation later today.’ Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: ‘Congratulations Prime Minister Burnham on your appointment as Prime Minister of the UK. ‘Australia and the UK are longstanding friends, allies and partners, united by shared values and deep ties between our peoples. ‘I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and promote security, resilience and prosperity in the years ahead.’ French President Emmanuel Macron, who worked closely with Sir Keir Starmer on a coalition of the willing for Ukraine and a future mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, said: ‘I extend my congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister of the UK. ‘In the face of the challenges that unite us, I hope that we will deepen our relationship in service of our peoples and by giving new momentum to the partnership between the UK and the EU. ‘I also wish to commend the action of Keir Starmer, whose commitment to serving his country has helped to strengthen co-operation between the UK, France and our European partners.’ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: ‘Congratulations and best wishes for a successful tenure to the new Prime Minister. ‘Italy and the UK are bound by a deep friendship and a collaboration that, over the years, has grown ever stronger, also thanks to our joint work on key dossiers fundamental to our nations: from managing migratory flows to the major international crises, always addressed with a great spirit of collaboration. ‘I am certain that we will continue down this path, strengthening our strategic partnership in the interest of our nations and our citizens.’ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: ‘Congratulations to Andy Burnham on taking office as Prime Minister. Germany and the UK are close partners. I look forward to working together.’ By George Lithgow and Helen Corbett, Press Association Political Staff source: PA Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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