British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a “historic” 100-year partnership deal with Ukraine during an unannounced visit to the war-torn country on Thursday, aimed at boosting support for Kiev before Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Starmer’s arrival was followed by loud explosions and air raid sirens blaring across the Ukrainian capital, officials and AFP journalists said, as air defense systems repelled a Russian drone attack in central Kiev.
In Starmer’s first official visit to Kiev since taking office last July, he pledged firm support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and said any agreement to end the fighting would jeopardize Ukraine’s security and independence. “Guarantee” has to be given.
The visit is the latest meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding with his country’s allies ahead of Trump’s return next week.
The incoming Republican has stoked fears in Kiev and Europe that he would cut off vital military aid to Washington or force Ukraine to accept a ceasefire on terms that would reward Russia for the February 2022 invasion.
Starmer said he would “work with all our allies” to ensure that any agreement “is strong enough to guarantee the security of Ukraine, guarantee any potential peace, and prevent any future aggression.” yes.”
Under the 100-year agreement, London and Kiev promised to “deepen defense cooperation” and promote Ukraine’s defense industry, recognizing it as a “future NATO ally”.
Speaking in Kiev, Starmer described it as “a historic agreement, the first of its kind, a new partnership between the UK and Ukraine, which reflects the enormous affection that exists between our two countries.”
Zelensky said relations with Britain are “closer than ever” and called the new agreement “truly comprehensive.”
‘The strongest possible situation’
Starmer began the visit by laying a wreath with Zelensky to the memory of killed Ukrainian soldiers and visiting a Bern hospital treating wounded soldiers.
Ahead of their meeting, Zelensky said he and Starmer would discuss the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine to monitor any ceasefire agreement, a divisive proposal initially put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Starmer did not say whether Britain would be willing to deploy troops.
In response to a question about whether Britain would send troops to the country, he said, “It’s really important that Ukraine is put in the strongest possible position.”
Britain has been one of Ukraine’s biggest military supporters, pledging £12.8 billion ($16 billion) in military and civilian aid since Russia’s invasion three years ago.
London has pledged £3 billion ($3.7 billion) of support each year “for as long as necessary”, and is also providing a £2.2 billion loan backed by profits on frozen Russian assets.
The United States remains Ukraine’s largest financial supporter by far – but the situation will change with Trump’s arrival.
Marco Rubio, his nominee for secretary of state, said Wednesday that the new administration will seek “bold diplomacy” to end the war.
“Concessions will have to be made to the Russian Federation as well as to the Ukrainians,” he said.
Trump had earlier vowed to end the war within a day, with his aides talking of leveraging US aid to force Ukraine into territorial concessions.
Zelensky, who is pushing a “peace through strength” message, said Kiev is “not considering security guarantees for Ukraine without the United States.”
As part of Ukraine’s stormy diplomatic schedule, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced on Thursday that he had arrived in Kiev on an official visit for “a series of institutional meetings.”
A day earlier in Poland, Zelensky called on the West to buy Kiev arms along with about $250 billion of unallocated frozen Russian assets.
‘Initiative’
The visit comes at a uncertain moment for Ukraine on the battlefield.
The fighting has escalated ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday, as both sides seek to gain the upper hand in anticipation of possible talks aimed at settling the war started by Russia in February 2022.
Zelensky acknowledged on Thursday that Russia had the “initiative” in the country’s east, but pointed to Ukraine’s occupation of Russian territory in its western Kursk region as a sign of its forces’ capability.
At several key points in the northern Kharkiv and eastern Donetsk regions, Russian forces have exploited their advantage in manpower and resources to advance steadily.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
