KYIV, Ukraine — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Thursday, pledging support to ensure the nation’s security over the next century. This visit comes just days before Donald Trump is set to take office as U.S. president.
According to British officials, Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a “100-Year Partnership” agreement in Kyiv that encompasses various fields, including defense, energy, trade, and science.
This unexpected visit marks Starmer’s first trip to Ukraine since he assumed office in July. He previously traveled to Ukraine in 2023 while serving as opposition leader and has held discussions with Zelenskyy in London twice since becoming prime minister. The war in Ukraine is approaching its three-year anniversary next month.
On the same day, the Italian defense chief was also in Kyiv, following visits from Germany’s defense minister and a recent phone call between Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron. This surge of diplomatic engagements coincides with Trump’s upcoming inauguration on Monday, raising concerns about a potential shift in U.S. support towards Ukraine. Trump has indicated that he believes European nations should bear more responsibility in assisting Ukraine.
During his visit on a chilly morning, Starmer was welcomed at the Kyiv railway station by Martin Harris, the UK ambassador to Ukraine, along with Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s envoy to the UK. “We’re a long way into this conflict,” remarked Starmer, emphasizing the need to maintain commitment.
The UK has been a significant military supporter of Ukraine, committing approximately 12.8 billion pounds ($16 billion) in military and humanitarian aid since Russia’s large-scale invasion began three years ago, as well as training over 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers on British soil. Starmer is set to announce an additional allocation of 40 million pounds ($49 million) to aid in Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery.
However, the UK’s contributions pale compared to the support from the United States, creating apprehensions about the continuity of American assistance as Trump prepares to assume the presidency on January 20. Trump has shown hesitance regarding the expenses associated with U.S. aid to Ukraine and has expressed a desire for a swift end to the conflict. There are also plans for a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has historically admired.
In light of these developments, Ukraine’s allies are striving to bolster the country’s defenses as much as possible prior to Trump’s inauguration, aiming to position Ukraine favorably for any future discussions aimed at resolving the war.
Zelenskyy has stressed that any peace negotiations must guarantee future protection for Ukraine from Russia, which has been a persistent threat since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent full-scale invasion in 2022.
The UK’s proposed 100-year agreement aims to strengthen these assurances, ensuring that Ukraine remains safeguarded against further aggression. This treaty emphasizes collaboration on defense matters, particularly maritime security regarding Russian activities in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov. Additionally, it addresses technology projects, including crucial drone developments, and includes measures to monitor the trafficking of stolen Ukrainian grain by Russia from occupied territories.
Starmer stated that “Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure,” highlighting the strengthening of ties between Ukraine and its allies. He characterized this partnership as not only a response to the current conflict but also as an investment in mutual growth for the next century, focusing on technological, scientific, and cultural advancements.
Zelenskyy mentioned that discussions with Starmer would also cover a proposal from Macron for the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to oversee a ceasefire, linking this to a timeline for Ukraine’s NATO membership. While NATO members affirm that Ukraine will join eventually, they maintain that it cannot occur until after the conflict concludes. Notably, Trump has aligned with Putin’s view that Ukraine should not be considered for NATO membership.
As the protracted conflict approaches its three-year milestone, both Russia and Ukraine are pushing for territorial advancements before potential peace negotiations. Ukraine has initiated a renewed offensive in the Kursk area of Russia, aiming to retain control of territory acquired the previous year, while it has intensified drone and missile strikes on Russian military installations and fuel supplies.
In response, Moscow is incrementally capturing territory, albeit at great costs in casualties along an extensive 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line in eastern Ukraine, while launching aggressive bombardments on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, attempting to disrupt winter utilities for the Ukrainian population. Recent missile strikes on various regions have led local authorities to implement power outages as a precaution.
