Keir Starmer has travelled to Ukraine to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since he entered Downing Street, hailing a “closer than ever” partnership days before Donald Trump returns to the White House.
The two countries will sign a partnership deal to deepen the existing defence relationship, with further military assistance to Kyiv on offer amid concerns the US could start to wind down its support.
Trump, who will be sworn back into office on Monday, has frequently repeated his promise to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a swift conclusion. He is expected to meet the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, early in his presidency.
Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine’s western allies “not to drop the ball” and to continue to provide long-term military support to his embattled country, warning that pulling the plug “will only invite more aggression, chaos and war”.
Starmer is expected to discuss what security guarantees the UK can offer Kyiv, including the possibility of British troops being part of a post-war peacekeeping force.
“Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine way from its closest parters has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level,” Starmer said.
“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.”
It is unclear if the new US administration shares the UK’s robust and open-ended commitment. Trump recently blamed Joe Biden for the conflict and – echoing Kremlin rhetoric – said he could “understand” why Russia was unhappy with Nato expansion.
Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has given no sign he is willing to abandon his maximalist demands. These include the handover of four Ukrainian regions that he “annexed” in 2022 including territory Moscow does not control; and a veto on Kyiv’s Nato membership.
The Russian president’s apparent calculation is that Trump will swiftly end military assistance to Ukraine, which will enable Russia to make further gains. Russian troops are closing in for the first time on Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a centre for Ukrainian defence production.
Zelenskyy said earlier this month that security guarantees for Kyiv would only be effective if Washington provided them, and that a ceasefire without such guarantees would merely give Russia time to rearm.
Starmer’s visit comes after he discussed the direction of the conflict after Trump’s return with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, at Chequers last week. The two leaders discussed the importance of offering Ukraine security guarantees, according to French sources.
The “100-year partnership” between Ukraine and the UK is also intended to boost economic links in non-military areas such as science and technology. Starmer will announce £40m for economic recovery, which the government said would create opportunities for British companies.
The funding will be targeted at businesses supporting the green economy, and marginalised groups including women and veterans. It builds on £12.8bn in support the UK has already given Ukraine, including £7.8bn of military assistance and ongoing energy infrastructure support.
“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,” Starmer said.
“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.”
The prime minister travelled to Kyiv in February 2023 as opposition leader when he reassured Zelenskyy that Labour’s policy would remain unchanged should he win a general election. Starmer toured the Kyiv satellite towns of Bucha and Irpin, where Russian troops in spring 2022 executed hundreds of civilians.
Last November a top Ukrainian official expressed frustration with Starmer’s new government and suggested relations with the UK had “gone backwards”. The supply of British long-range Storm Shadow missiles had stopped, the official said, adding that Starmer had postponed a trip to Kyiv several times.
“It isn’t happening. Starmer isn’t giving us long-range weapons. The situation is not the same as when Rishi Sunak was prime minister. The relationship has got worse,” the official told the Guardian. Downing Street reacted to the comments with irritation and declined to comment on operational matters.
Ukraine has subsequently used Storm Shadow missiles against high-value targets, including in Kursk province. Ukrainian forces launched a small counter-invasion five months ago into the Russian border area and recently captured two North Korean soldiers.
