Starmer in Ukraine to sign a partnership agreement

Sir Keir Starmer is in Kiev to sign what Downing Street calls a “100-year historic partnership” with Ukraine.

The agreement formalizes and provides more of the economic and military support previously promised to the country.

Days before Donald Trump’s re-entry into the White House, it was the prime minister’s first visit to the country since he came to power last summer to show his support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to discuss tighter security guarantees from key allies such as the UK, warning that a new US administration could start pushing Ukraine to make peace with Russia.

Unlike prime ministers who have rushed to Kiev, Sir Kiir has taken his time on tour, but after six months in office he is now coming to Ukraine to pledge long-term support for what he calls Russia’s “illegal and barbaric occupation”.

At the Kyiv railway station, they were received by the UK Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, and the Ukrainian Ambassador to London, Valery Zaluzhny.

While traveling to the country, he said, “This is not only for the here and now, but also for the investment in the two countries for the next century.”

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s desire to wrest Ukraine away from his closest allies is a major strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.”

Zelensky wanted to discuss strict security guarantees from the main partners, the new administration under the new US President Donald Trump will begin to pressure Ukraine to make peace with Moscow.

Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, said earlier this week that both countries must make a deal to end the war.

Thursday’s announcement includes additional military and economic aid to ensure that, as well as military cooperation in maritime security and drone technology and healthcare.

Zelensky has previously said he is looking to the UK for help in securing security guarantees to prevent future attacks.

Joining NATO is at the top of the wish list, but Ukraine wants its allies to send peacekeeping troops to the country if the fighting ends, to monitor the current front and become a buffer zone in any peace deal.

Before the visit, Zelensky said that he would discuss this with the Prime Minister.

It will build on the UK’s £12.8bn in aid to Ukraine. The country has pledged £3 billion in military aid each year “as long as it does”.

Ukraine has been using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian military facilities across the border.

Their arrival late last year was welcomed in Kiev, and slammed in Moscow.

The partnership, based on an agreement and political statement, will be presented to parliament in the coming weeks.

Systematic plans have been launched by the former Conservative government.

Starmer previously visited Ukraine as opposition leader in 2023, and hosted President Zelensky twice in Downing Street after taking office.

Additional reporting by Alex Smith.