As Sir Keir Starmer prepares for his final visit to Ukraine as Prime Minister, he has reaffirmed Britain's unwavering commitment to supporting Kyiv against Russian aggression. The UK's "cast-iron" support for Ukraine, a pledge first made when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, remains unshakeable, according to the outgoing leader.
During his time in office, Sir Keir has been a stalwart supporter of Ukraine, and today he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to reinforce this stance. His efforts have seen significant investment in defence and pioneering work on future war-fighting technologies, as well as the signing of a landmark 100-year partnership agreement between the two nations, aimed at strengthening their mutual defence and trade ties.
Sir Keir has consistently maintained that Britain's support for Ukraine is not just about providing immediate assistance but also about laying the foundations for its long-term security and success. He has led international efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force in the region, and the UK's leadership on this issue was evident at recent G7 and Nato summits.
The visit comes as Russian aggression continues unabated, with recent strikes on the port of Odesa resulting in significant damage and eight fatalities. Last week, President Zelensky urged allies to prioritise air defence systems in response to intense Russian strikes, a plea that was followed by US President Donald Trump's decision to grant permission for Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles.
In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised Sir Keir's efforts on Ukraine and his personal friendship with President Zelensky during the final Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday. With Andy Burnham set to become Labour Party leader this weekend and assume the role of Prime Minister on Monday, it remains to be seen whether this commitment will continue.