Keir Starmer will sign a 100-year pact with Ukraine today as he makes his first official trip to the war-torn country.
The Prime Minister will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks on strengthening the bond between the two countries in the face of Russia’s brutal onslaught. The trip comes as Moscow launched a barrage of ballistic and cruise missiles on regions in a fresh bid to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid.
Mr Starmer will underscore the UK’s support for Ukraine with a treaty and political declaration marking the 100 Year partnership, which will be laid in Parliament in the coming weeks. It would include an ongoing commitment to providing lethal aid, as well as breaking down barriers to trade and growth.
Ahead of the visit, Mr Starmer said Vladimir Putin’s efforts to isolate Kyiv from its allies had been a “monumental strategic failure”. He added: “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.”
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The PM is also expected to announce £40million for a new economic recovery programme to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds worth of private lending to help small and medium businesses in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, President Zelensky said he was planning to discuss the possibility of British troops forming part of a post-war peacekeeping force in Ukraine when Mr Starmer made his visit. Speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the Ukrainian leader said: “The British look at it positively, but I will talk in detail with the Prime Minister about it at our meeting. He will be visiting Ukraine, he will have a visit to Ukraine, and we will talk.”
The PM hosted President Zelensky for talks in Downing Street in October, and the pair met again at a summit in November, when Mr Starmer assured him the UK’s support for Kyiv was “ironclad”.
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