Starmer in Ukraine to sign a partnership agreement

Unlike other prime ministers who have rushed to Kyiv, Sir Keir has already visited, but after six months in office he arrived in Ukraine pledging long-term support against what he called Russia’s “illegal and barbaric invasion”.

He was greeted at the Kyiv train station by the British Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, and Ukraine’s envoy to London, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Speaking as he left the country, Sir Keir said: “This is not just about the here and now, it is also about investing in our two countries for the next century.”

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partner has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level,” he added.

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

Thursday’s announcement included more military and economic aid to prove it, as well as increased military collaboration in maritime security and drone technology, and healthcare.

Zelensky previously said he was looking to Britain for help in getting security guarantees to deter future attacks.

Joining NATO is at the top of his wish list, but Ukraine also wants its allies to send peacekeepers to the country if the fighting stops, to patrol the front line now which can be a buffer zone in any peace agreement.

Before the visit, Zelensky said that this is something he will discuss with the prime minister.

It builds on the £12.8bn of support the UK has already given to Ukraine. The country has also committed to giving the country £3bn in military aid every year “for as long as needed”.

Ukraine has used 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, which consists of agreements and political declarations, will be presented to Parliament in the coming weeks.

Plans for that had already begun under the previous Conservative government.

Starmer previously visited Ukraine when he was opposition leader in 2023, and has served twice as President Zelensky in Downing Street since taking office.

Additional reporting by Alex Smith.