UK will ‘never let up’ on Ukraine support, says Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer made his first visit to Kyiv as prime minister, pledging to put Ukraine “in a very strong position” in 2025.

Arriving on Thursday morning, he accompanied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lay flowers at a memorial wall for those killed in the war with Russia – and told reporters the UK “will not stop” in providing vital aid to Ukraine.

The visit is being held to mark what Downing Street has called a “100-year deal” with Ukraine. The agreement will establish the economic and military support that the country has already promised.

His visit comes just days before Donald Trump re-enters the White House.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is keen to ensure strong protection from his allies, fearing that the new US administration may start pressuring Ukraine to make peace with Russia.

Unlike other ministers who rushed to Kyiv, Sir Keir took time off to visit, but after six months in office he returned to Ukraine and pledged long-term support against what he called “Russia’s illegal aggression”.

Several explosions and plane crashes were heard in Kyiv shortly after the prime minister laid a wreath in the center of the city.

Speaking as he traveled to the country, Sir Keir said: “This is not just about the here and now, but about the finances of our two countries for the next century.”

“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s plan to alienate Ukraine from its closest allies has failed miserably. In fact, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will bring that friendship to another level,” he added.

As soon as he arrived, the prime minister went to a hospital in Kyiv that helps people with burns.

He watched her in person in the intensive care unit where she met Ukrainian casualties in a rehabilitation ward supported by the British Red Cross.

Sir Keir said the injuries he saw were “a sad reminder of the heavy price Ukraine is paying”.

“One of the consequences of this conflict has been to pull NATO closer,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that Ukraine’s support was “bigger and stronger than it has been, and we must stand behind Ukraine for a long time”.

“We must not give up on this and we have been in the lead,” he said.

Trump’s choice for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said earlier this week that the two countries must do something to end the war.

Thursday’s announcement also includes economic aid, health support, and increased military cooperation in maritime defense and drone technology.

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

Joining Nato is at the top of its wish list, but Ukraine also wants allies to send peacekeepers to the country if the war ends, to look ahead to what could be a peacekeeping force in any peace deal.

Before that, Zelensky said that this is what he will discuss with the Prime Minister.

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

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

Their arrival at the end of last year was welcomed by Kyiv, and opposed by Moscow.

The agreement, which was made up of a treaty and a political declaration, is due to be submitted to Parliament in the coming weeks.

Its plans had begun under the previous Conservative government.

Sir Keir has previously visited Ukraine when he was opposition leader in 2023, and has met President Zelensky twice in Downing Street since taking office.

Additional reporting by Alex Smith.