Ed Miliband, the former leader of the Labour Party and energy minister in Keir Starmer's government, became the new Foreign Secretary of Great Britain. The appointment was confirmed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham's office on July 21, 2026.
What he promised immediately after his appointment
In his first statement, Miliband named four priorities: continued support for Ukraine, preservation of the transatlantic alliance with the United States, achieving "sustainable peace" between Israel and Palestine, and restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
"My parents came to Britain as Jewish refugees from the Nazis. For them, Britain was a refuge and a beacon of hope in the global struggle against fascism"
Ed Miliband, following confirmation of his appointment
Miliband is the first Jewish leader of the Labour Party, which he led from 2010 to 2015. After his defeat in the 2015 elections, he left public politics, returning to it as energy minister under Starmer.
Context: Burnham's government and Kyiv
On the same day as the appointment, Prime Minister Burnham held a telephone conversation with President Zelenskyy. He confirmed "unwavering support" for Ukraine and proposed discussing further cooperation within the Anti-Ballistic Coalition. Zelenskyy thanked him for "warm words of respect for the Ukrainian people."
Brother in frontline regions
A week before Ed's appointment, on June 18–21, 2026, his older brother David Miliband — president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) — visited Mykolaiv, Kherson region, and Odesa. He met with internally displaced persons and IRC staff in areas that face daily shelling.
"I came to verify the reality on the ground against the narrative about significant changes in the balance of advantages in the war"
David Miliband, IRC statement following the visit, June 21, 2026
According to the IRC, Ukraine has approximately 4 million internally displaced persons and 6 million refugees in Europe.
What this changes in practice
Miliband replaced Yvette Cooper, who moved to the position of Health Secretary. His appointment, according to Jewish Insider's assessment, signals a tougher London stance on Israel — while analysts do not expect changes in British support for Kyiv, which both brothers declare publicly and with personal involvement.
The question remains concrete: whether Miliband will transform Ukraine's declared support into new security agreements — this will become clear after his first official visit to Kyiv, should it take place before the autumn parliamentary session.
