Starmer visits Ukraine to sign partnership deal
Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Kiev to sign what Downing Street calls a “landmark 100-year partnership” with Ukraine.
The agreement will formalize the economic and military support already pledged to the country and provide additional support.
It is the prime minister’s first trip to the country since taking office last summer to express support for Ukraine just days before Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is keen to discuss firm security guarantees from key allies such as the UK and is concerned that the new US administration may start pushing for peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Unlike other prime ministers who have rushed to Kyiv, Sir Keir has taken his time visiting Ukraine, but six months after taking office he is now in Ukraine pledging long-term support for what he calls Russia’s “illegal and barbaric invasion”.
“This is not just a matter of the here and now, but an investment in the next century for our two countries,” he said during a visit to the country.
He added: “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s ambition to separate Ukraine from its closest partners is a huge strategic failure. On the contrary, we are closer than ever and this partnership will bring that friendship to Take it to the next level.”
Zelensky has been keen to discuss firm security guarantees from key allies, fearing that the new U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump could start pushing for peace between Ukraine and Moscow.
Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, said earlier this week that the two countries must make concessions to end the war.
Thursday’s announcement included more military and economic aid to prove that point, as well as increased military cooperation on maritime security, drone technology and health care.
Zelenskiy has previously said he is seeking help from Britain for security guarantees to deter future attacks.
Joining NATO is his top wish, but Ukraine also wants allies to send peacekeepers to the country after fighting ceases to patrol the current front line, which could become a buffer zone in any peace deal.
Ahead of the visit, Zelensky said he would discuss the issue with the prime minister.
On this basis, the UK has provided 12.8 billion pounds of support to Ukraine. The country has also pledged £3 billion in annual military aid to the country “for as long as it is needed”.
Ukraine is already using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian military installations far from its borders.
Their arrival late last year was welcomed by Kiev but slammed by Moscow.
The partnership consists of a treaty and a political declaration, which will be submitted to Parliament in the coming weeks.
The scheme was started under the previous Conservative government.
Starmer visited Ukraine in 2023 when he was opposition leader and has received President Zelensky twice in Downing Street since taking office.
Additional reporting by Alex Smith.
