Meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Starmer pledged the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction, signing what Downing Street calls a “landmark 100-year partnership” treaty.
The agreement
- Key sectors: The comprehensive deal covers defense collaboration, scientific research, energy, and trade. It formalizes and extends the substantial economic and military support Britain has already provided to Ukraine.
- Long-term security: Zelensky, mindful of shifting international dynamics—particularly with Donald Trump’s incoming U.S. administration—has pressed for concrete guarantees to bolster Ukraine against future Russian aggression.
Standing alongside Zelensky, Starmer paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, underscoring the gravity of the conflict. Air raid sirens and distant explosions provided a stark backdrop, which Starmer called a “reminder of the daily attacks and the resolve of the Ukrainian people.”
“Never let up”
Declaring that NATO is now “more strongly united” in the face of Russian aggression, Starmer stressed Britain’s ongoing military and humanitarian backing. He reaffirmed the UK’s pledge of £3bn in annual military aid “for as long as it takes,” on top of the £12.8bn already committed since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.
Touring a New Year’s Day drone attack site near the president’s office—where a pair of leading scientists lost their lives—Starmer observed the devastation inflicted on civilians. A subsequent visit to a Kyiv hospital specialized in burn treatment reinforced the conflict’s toll; Starmer described injuries there as “a grim reminder of the heavy price Ukraine is paying.”
Summary
- Path to NATO: Ukraine hopes to solidify its post-war security by joining the alliance. Zelensky also seeks peacekeepers should negotiations for a ceasefire ever advance.
- Reconstruction: The prime minister pledged UK support for rebuilding efforts, noting that British assistance in areas such as infrastructure and health care is essential for restoring normal life.
- Potential US shifts: With Washington’s foreign policy possibly changing under President-elect Trump, both leaders are keen to shore up alliances and maintain pressure on Russia.
Though Prime Minister Starmer had visited Ukraine in 2023 as opposition leader, this trip—his first as head of government—symbolically reaffirms the UK’s stance. “We are with you,” Starmer told Zelensky, “not just for today or tomorrow, but for the next hundred years.”
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Source: BBC, RMF24