Keir Starmer makes surprise Ukraine trip to sign historic 100-year partnership
The Prime Minister is visiting the war ravaged nation where he will bolster military and economic ties.
Keir Starmer has made a surprise visit to Ukraine to sign a landmark 100-year partnership between Britain and the wartorn nation.
The Prime Minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as they agreed the historic tie-up.
It will bolster defence and economic ties between the two countries, including help to beef up Ukraine’s maritime security to deter ongoing Russian aggression.
To mark the signing of the partnership, Sir Keir is also expected to announce new UK support for lethal military aid for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said: “Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.
“This is not just about the here and now, it is also about an investment in our two countries for the next century, bringing together technology development, scientific advances and cultural exchanges, and harnessing the phenomenal innovation shown by Ukraine in recent years for generations to come.
“The power of our long-term friendships cannot be underestimated. Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future, is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our Plan for Change.
“Through this partnership, we are creating a strong economy that works for the British people, a safe country that protects our interests at home and abroad, and a prosperous society.”
Unlike other prime ministers who have rushed to Kyiv, Sir Keir has taken his time to visit, but after six months in office he has come to Ukraine pledging long-term support against what he calls Russia's "illegal and barbaric invasion".
He was greeted at Kyiv railway station by the UK's ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, and the Ukrainian envoy to London, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Today’s announcement adds to the £12.8 billion package of support the UK has given Ukraine, including £7.8 billion of military assistance, a commitment for £3 billion in military aid and energy infrastructure support to help hospitals.
The Prime Minister will also unveil £40 million for a new economic recovery programme to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of private lending to bolster growth and economic resilience of small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine.
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Zelensky has previously said he is looking towards the UK for help getting security guarantees to deter future attacks.
Joining Nato is towards the top of his wish list, but Ukraine also wants its allies to send peacekeepers to the country if fighting does stop, to patrol the current frontline which could become a buffer zone in any peace agreement.
Ukraine has already been using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian military facilities far from the border.
Their arrival late last year was welcomed by Kyiv, and slammed by Moscow.
The partnership, formed of a treaty and a political declaration, is due to be presented to Parliament in the coming weeks.
Plans for it had begun under the previous Conservative government.
Starmer previously visited Ukraine when he was leader of the opposition in 2023, and has hosted President Zelensky twice at Downing Street since entering office.
