Starmer to sign a cooperation agreement in Ukraine

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

The treaty would formalize the economic and military support already promised to the country, and offer more.

It is the prime minister’s first visit to the country since taking office last summer to show support for Ukraine, just days before Donald Trump re-enters the White House.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to discuss firm security guarantees from key allies such as the United Kingdom, in hopes that a new US administration could begin to push Ukraine toward peace with Russia.

Unlike other prime ministers who have rushed to Kiev, Sir Keir has taken his time to visit, but after six months in office he has come to Ukraine with long-term support against what he calls Russia’s “illegal and barbaric invasion”.

He was greeted at the Kiev railway station by Martin Harris, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian envoy in London.

As he traveled to the country, Sir Keir said: “This is not just about the here and now, it is also an investment in our two countries for the next century.”

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

Trump’s choice for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said earlier this week that both countries will have to make concessions to see an end to the war.

Thursday’s announcement includes more military and economic support to prove that, as well as increased military cooperation on maritime security and drone technology and health.

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

Joining NATO is high on its wish list, but Ukraine also wants its allies to send peacekeepers to the country if the fighting stops, to guard the current front that could become a buffer zone in any peace deal.

Before the visit, Zelensky said he would discuss this with the prime minister.

It builds on the £12.8 billion in aid the UK has already given to Ukraine. The country has already pledged to provide the country with £3bn of military aid each year “for as long as it needs”.

Ukraine is already using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian military installations far across the border.

Last year’s late arrivals were welcomed by Kiev, and thwarted by Moscow.

The partnership consisting of a treaty and a political statement will be presented to Parliament in the coming weeks.

Plans for this began under the previous Conservative government.

Starmer visited Ukraine as opposition leader in 2023 and has hosted President Zelensky twice since taking office in Downing Street.

Additional reporting by Alex Smith.