Shortly before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv, joining a growing list of European politicians showing their solidarity with Ukraine, according to AFP.
UK's Starmer Arrives in Ukraine to Sign '100-Year' Partnership Treaty
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on Thursday morning.
According to the British government, Starmer is set to sign a "100-Year Partnership" treaty with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit. The agreement will encompass multiple areas, including security, science, energy, and trade, with a key focus on bolstering military cooperation. The treaty aims to enhance security in the Baltic, Black, and Azov Seas while working to deter Russian aggression.
Ahead of the visit, Starmer commented, “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 marks Starmer's first trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister since taking office in the summer. However, he had previously visited the country in 2023 when he was still the opposition leader. As Prime Minister, Starmer has also met with President Zelenskyy twice in London.
The unannounced visit is part of a broader show of support for Ukraine from European leaders, especially with the upcoming return to power of US President-elect Donald Trump. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is also in Kyiv on Thursday, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited the country earlier this week.
Trump’s potential return to the White House has raised concerns that Ukraine might be pressured into a ceasefire agreement that could involve conceding large portions of the country to Russia.
During his visit, Starmer is expected to announce an additional £40 million (€47.5 million or $49 million) in aid to support Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery.
Earlier, Zelenskyy noted that he and Starmer would also discuss the possibility of Western troops being stationed in Ukraine to oversee a potential ceasefire agreement, a proposal initially suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The UK has been one of Ukraine's most prominent military supporters, having pledged £12.8 billion in both military and civilian aid since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. Additionally, the UK has trained more than 50,000 Ukrainian troops on British soil.