UK Prime Minister Starmer Pledges a '100-Year Partnership' for Ukraine's Security

UK Prime Minister Starmer Pledges a '100-Year Partnership' for Ukraine's Security

Kyiv, Ukraine — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Thursday, where he pledged to ensure the country's security for the next century, just days before Donald Trump is sworn in as the President of the United States.

The UK government announced that Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a "100-Year Partnership" treaty in Kyiv, covering areas including defense, science, energy, and trade.

This unannounced visit is Starmer’s first trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister. He visited the country in 2023 when he was the opposition leader and has met Zelenskyy twice in London since taking office. The war will mark its third year next month.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Italian defense chief was also in Kyiv, two days after Germany's defense minister visited and three days after Zelenskyy spoke on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron. This flurry of diplomatic activity is taking place ahead of Trump’s inauguration, which may bring a shift in US support for Ukraine. Trump has expressed concerns over the cost of US aid to Ukraine and has called for a swift end to the war, even indicating a willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Upon arrival at Kyiv’s railway station, Starmer was welcomed by Martin Harris, the UK’s ambassador to Ukraine, and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s envoy to London.

“We have come a long way in this conflict, and we cannot let up,” Starmer said.

The UK, one of Ukraine’s major military supporters, has pledged £12.8 billion ($16 billion) in military and humanitarian aid over three years and has trained over 50,000 Ukrainian troops on British soil. Starmer is set to announce an additional £40 million ($49 million) for Ukraine's post-war economic recovery.

However, the UK's role remains far smaller than that of the United States, and there is growing uncertainty about the future of American support under Trump. Trump has indicated a desire to reduce US financial aid to Ukraine and has shown interest in negotiating with Putin.

The treaty is part of the commitment to ensuring Ukraine's security against its larger neighbor, Russia. The agreement will focus on defense, particularly maritime security against Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov, as well as technological projects such as drones and systems to track stolen Ukrainian grain.

Starmer stated, “Putin’s ambition to isolate Ukraine from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.”